Laboratory Test Directory

ABSCESS CULTURE - BACTERIAL: (088-0053)

 Deep wound/abscess aerobic bacterial infection

 C ABS

 Gram stain, culture for the isolation  and identification of aerobic bacteria, including antimicrobial susceptibility testing when appropriate.

 Clinical Microbiology

 Culture: 2-5 Days; gram stain: 8 hours

Collect: Using aseptic technique, collect aspiration, drainage, fluid or tissue from the infected site. Culturettes (swabs) are accepted, but not recommended.

Specimen Preparation: Sterile container

Storage/Transport: Room temperature if same day delivery; refrigerate if longer.

Stability: 48 hours

Causes for Rejection:

Indicate on the request form any additional clinical information, suspected pathogens  and special requests so that appropriate processing will occur.

Contact Microbiology Director on-call with specific questions.

No aerobic growth

Generally, no more that the two predominant organisms on the culture media are fully identified.

This test is for aerobic bacteria only. If anaerobic bacteria, fungus, viruses or other agents are suspected, order and collect appropriate samples. A gram stain is routinely performed on aspirates, drainages, fluid and culturettes with 2 swabs.

 87070- culture, 87205 - gram stain

When ordering tests for which Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement will be sought, physicians should only order tests that are medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient.  Components of the organ or disease panels may be ordered individually.  The diagnostic information must substantiate all tests ordered and must be in the form of an ICD-9 code or its verbal equivalent.

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