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Synonyms
- Culture, Body Fluid, Sterile, Routine
- Sterile Body Fluid Culture
Test Includes
Culture; isolation and identification of potential aerobic pathogens (additional charges/CPT code[s] may apply). Susceptibility testing if culture results warrant (at an additional charge). Gram Stain [008540] is recommended with all body fluid cultures (additional charge). CPT coding for microbiology and virology procedures often cannot be determined before the culture is performed. Requests with only a written order and no test number indicated will be processed according to Default Testing for Routine Microbiology.
Special Instructions
Indicate the specific source and pertinent clinical history on the request form. Do not use expired transport device.
Expected Turnaround Time
4 - 5 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Related Information
Related Documents
For more information, please view the literature below.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Aseptically aspirated body fluid (eg, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial, peritoneal fluid). Do not submit syringes with needles attached. Swabs without visible fluid are not acceptable for Body Fluid Culture.
Minimum Volume
2 mL
Container
Sterile tube or other sterile leakproof container, blood culture bottle, Vacutainer™ Plus no Additive tube, sodium heparin tube, and swabs with visible fluid; do not use red-top Vacutainer™ tubes.
Collection
Contamination with normal flora from skin, rectum, vaginal tract, or other body surfaces should be avoided. If anaerobes are suspected, order Anaerobic Culture [008904].
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Patient Preparation
Swab skin over the site of puncture with 2% tincture of iodine in concentric circles. Note: Iodine should remain in contact with skin for at least one minute prior to puncture to ensure complete antisepsis. Following puncture, 70% alcohol is used to remove iodine from skin.
Causes for Rejection
Improper labeling; red-top Vacutainer™ tubes; swabs without visible fluid
Test Details
Use
Isolate and identify pathogenic organisms from normally sterile body fluids
Methodology
Culture
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180802 | Body Fluid Culture, Sterile | 611-4 | 180802 | Body Fluid Culture, Sterile | 611-4 |
| Reflex Table for Body Fluid Culture, Sterile | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order Code | Order Name | Result Code | Result Name | UofM | Result LOINC | |
| Reflex 1 | 080186 | Result | 080187 | Result 1 | 611-4 | |
| Reflex Table for Body Fluid Culture, Sterile | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order Code | Order Name | Result Code | Result Name | UofM | Result LOINC | |
| Reflex 1 | 080186 | Result | 080188 | Result 2 | 611-4 | |
| Reflex Table for Body Fluid Culture, Sterile | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order Code | Order Name | Result Code | Result Name | UofM | Result LOINC | |
| Reflex 1 | 080186 | Result | 080189 | Result 3 | 611-4 | |
| Reflex Table for Body Fluid Culture, Sterile | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order Code | Order Name | Result Code | Result Name | UofM | Result LOINC | |
| Reflex 1 | 080186 | Result | 080190 | Result 4 | 611-4 | |
| Reflex Table for Body Fluid Culture, Sterile | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order Code | Order Name | Result Code | Result Name | UofM | Result LOINC | |
| Reflex 1 | 080186 | Result | 080191 | Antimicrobial Susceptibility | 23658-8 | |
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The LOINC® codes are copyright © 1994-2021, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee. Permission is granted in perpetuity, without payment of license fees or royalties, to use, copy, or distribute the LOINC® codes for any commercial or non-commercial purpose, subject to the terms under the license agreement found at https://loinc.org/license/. Additional information regarding LOINC® codes can be found at LOINC.org, including the LOINC Manual, which can be downloaded at LOINC.org/downloads/files/LOINCManual.pdf