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Test Code LAB2501 Sputum Gram Stain, Reflex to Culture

Important Note

To ensure quality specimens from the lower respiratory tract, a gram stain with Q score will first be performed.  If NOT quality, the sputum culture will be cancelled. 

  • If the Q score result is Q1-Q3, a sputum culture will be performed.
  • If the Q score result is Q4, indicative of saliva, a culture will not be performed.

Useful For

Diagnosing bacterial respiratory infections

Methodology

Conventional Biochemical Identification Methods

Performing Laboratory

Bozeman Health Laboratory Services

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Sputum

Container/Tube: Tightly-sealing, screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen Volume: Adequate amount

Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

Patient should not have eaten prior to collection.  Specimen should be a single, first-morning, “deep-cough” sputum specimen.

  1. Have patient remove dentures, if applicable.
  2. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water.
  3. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, and cough deeply and vigorously into container.
  4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

*Important Note: A gram stain will be performed to check for suitability of sputum for culture. If NOT suitable, specimen culture will be cancelled. Culture will automatically be performed on all specimens with a qualitative score of Q1-Q3.

 

Specimen Rejection:

1. Saliva

2. Frozen sample

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient <2 hours/Refrigerated >2 hours

Specimen Stability

 

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Sputum Ambient 2 hours
  Refrigerated 24 hours

Reference Values

No pathogens isolated

Additional Information

  • This test includes a Gram Stain.
  • Identification and susceptibilities will be performed, if appropriate, at an additional charge.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87205-Gram stain

87070-Culture (if appropriate)

87077-Aerobic identification (if appropriate)

87186-Susceptibilities (if appropriate)

87147-Identification, each (if appropriate)