Acid Fast Smear/Culture AF OTH

Synonyms

Allscripts (AEHR) Order Name

Culture - Acid Fast - Other w/Smear

Sunrise Clinical Manager (SCM) Order Name

Culture - Acid Fast - Other w/Smear

EPIC Order Name

NOS Mycobacterial (AFB) Smear and Culture

Clinical Info

Specimen Type

Specimen Volume

Container

Sterile

Collection Instructions

1. Remove surface exudate by wiping surface with 70% alcohol.
2. Aspirate abscess using a sterile needle and syringe.
3. Place aspirate in a screw-capped, sterile container. If arriving in a syringe, needle must be removed prior to transportation.
4. Label container/syringe 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: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
**Specimen submitted on a swabs is discouraged.
* 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

Refrigerated (2°-8°C), transport to the laboratory as soon
as possible.

Specimen Stability

Up to 3 days at 2°-8°C (refrigerated)

Methodology

The specimen is processed and
an acid fast smear is performed to
detect acid-fast bacilli. . All specimens are cultured in broth and
solid media for up to 6 weeks for the detection and identification of M.
tuberculosis complex and nontuberculous mycobacteria.
M. tuberculosis complex  isolates are referred to the department of
health for further speciation and susceptibility testing. 

Days Performed

Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratories

Northwell Health Laboratories - Little Neck Parkway
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 - acid-fast stain

PDM

6201254

Result Interpretation

Forms