Laboratory Test Directory

AEROBIC CULTURE (088-0065)

Synonyms: Routine Culture; Culture, routine, wound culture

CPT 4 Code: 87070

Test Order Mnemonic: C WD, C ABS

Test Includes: Gram stain, isolation of aerobic bacteria, and identification and antimicrobial susceptibility when appropriate

Lab: Bacteriology

Request Form: Microbiology

Collection: Aseptic collection of purulent material, drainage, or tissue is preferred. Swab acceptable

Storage Instructions: Room temperature

Causes for Rejection: Leaking container

Availability: Samples are accepted 24 hours per day at the Microbiology Processing Laboratory, Room 5.137 McCullough.

Turnaround Time: Preliminary report after 1 day, final report after 2-3 days

Special Instructions: Order Wound culture if superficial infection site and Abscess culture if the site is a deep wound abscess. Note any pertinent clinical information or suspected organism recovery on the requisition. For a direct gram stain to be performed, two swabs must be collected. Dual swab culturettes are available through Materials Management.

Specimen: Wounds, boils, lesions, incision sites, aspirates of abscess, bone or deep tissue site.

Container: Culturettes, dual swab so gram stain and culture can be performed

Revised 6/22/2011 by T. Friloux