Acid Fast CSF AF CSF

Synonyms

Allscripts (AEHR) Order Name

Culture - Acid Fast - CSF

Sunrise Clinical Manager (SCM) Order Name

Culture - Acid Fast - CSF

EPIC Order Name

CSF, Mycobacterial (AFB) Smear and Culture

Clinical Info

Specimen Type

CSF

Container

CSF Tube

Collection Instructions

1. Disinfect site with antiseptic.
2. Using a sterile needle with stylet, insert needle at L3, L4, L5, or L5-S1 interspace.
3. After reaching subarachnoid space, remove stylet, and collect 8 mL (minimum volume: 1 mL) of spinal fluid in a screw-capped, sterile vial.
4. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Send specimen refrigerated.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note: 1. Smear will only be performed if >5 mL of spinal fluid is submitted.
2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
*Rejection Criteria: Quantity not sufficient, specimen leaking, unlabeled or mislabeled specimen, specimen without a minimum of 2 patient identifiers, specimen received after prolonged delay (more than 7 days), specimen in fixative.

Transport Instructions

Specimen Stability

Up to 7 days at 2-8C (refrigerated)

Methodology

Microbiology Culture

Days Performed

Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratory

Northwell Health Laboratories
If culture is positive, additional charge(s)/CPT code(s) may apply for identification
and/or antibiotic susceptibilities performed when appropriate.

CPT

87116 - culture
87206 - smear (if appropriate)

PDM

6201252

Result Interpretation

No acid-fast bacilli isolated

Forms