Throat Culture C TH

Synonyms

 Culture – Throat 
 Culture - Group A Streptococcus

Allscripts (AEHR) Order Name

Culture, Throat

Sunrise Clinical Manager (SCM) Order Name

Culture - Group A Streptococcus

EPIC Order Name

Group A Streptococcus Culture, Throat

Clinical Info

Throat culture screens for group A Streptococcus only.
Note:
PCR is more sensitive for identifying Group A Streptococcus.

Specimen Type

Swab

Specimen Volume

Container

Throat specimen collected in E-Swab

Collection Instructions

1. Obtain specimen using a E- swab.
2.Tilt patient’s head back to assist in
opening of mouth as wide as possible.                                                                                                                                                                                                 3.Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab does not touch oral mucosa or
tongue.
4. If patient has complained of 1 spot being
sore, swab that area well.
5. In 1 continuous motion:
A. Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down.
B. Move to back of throat as far down as
possible and swab there.
C. Move to other tonsillar area and swab.
D. Swab behind uvula and remove swab.
6. Return swab to sterile culture transport
tube to ensure specimen preservation.
7. Label tube with patient’s name (first and
last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
 Note:  Specimen source is required on
request form for processing.

Transport Instructions

Maintain sterility and
forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Specimen Stability

Up to 48 hours at room temperature.

Methodology

Bacterial
culture

Days Performed

7 days/week

Performing Laboratory

Northwell Health Laboratories

CPT

87081

PDM

6201165

Result Interpretation

Reference Values

No beta streptococcus group A

Forms