AEROBIC CULTURE (088-0065)
Synonyms: Routine Culture; Culture, routine, wound
culture
CPT 4 Code: 87070
Test Order Mnemonic: C WD
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: 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
Container: Culturette, dual swab so gram sstain and
culture can be performed
