Aspirate Culture/Gram Stain C ASP

Synonyms
Allscripts (AEHR) Order Name	Culture - Aspirate with Gram Stain
Sunrise Clinical Manager (SCM) Order Name	Culture - Aspirate with Gram Stain
EPIC Order Name	Aspirate Wound Culture, Aerobic and Anaerobic
Clinical Info	A wide variety of microorganisms that reside on the skin and mucous membranes of the body, as well as those found in the environment, can cause skin and soft tissue infection. The organisms enter the body through breaks in the skin or mucous membranes, through wounds made by trauma or bites (exogenous) or a complication of surgery or foreign body implants (endogenous) or they can spread through the vascular system (hematogenous). Chronic wound infections such as decubiti, foot or leg ulcers are normally due to complications related to impaired vascular flow or metabolic disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus). Aspirates obtained through intact skin by needle aspiration are the best samples for culture. The primary agents of skin and tissue infections are Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, members of the Enterobacterales, beta-hemolytic streptococci and anaerobes. Notes: • Gram Stain is automatically included when C ASP is ordered. • Specimens should be collected prior to initiation of antimicrobial therapy.
Specimen Type	Colon
Container	E-swab or screw-capped sterile containers are acceptable for culture. Do not submit syringes with needles attached. Minimum volume: 0.5mL
Collection Instructions	• Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. • Collect specimen by first removing surface exudate by wiping with 70% alcohol. Aspirate, if possible, with a needle and syringe. • Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature. Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
Transport Instructions	Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Specimen Stability	Transport to the laboratory as soon as possible.
Methodology	Bacterial culture and Gram Stain Routine isolation, identification procedures, and antibiotic susceptibility testing will be performed when appropriate.
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	87070 - culture / 87205 - Gram stain
PDM	6201336
Result Interpretation No growth
Forms