Laboratory Test Directory

Synonyms: Culture, bone marrow

CPT 4 Code: 87070

Test Order Mnemonic: C BF or C BFBN if submitted in Bactec blood bottle

Test Includes: Gram stain; isolation of aerobic bacteria; and antimicrobial susceptibility testing when appropriate

Lab: Bacteriology

Request Form: Microbiology

Collection: Aseptically aspirate bone marrow into a Pediatric Isolator tube or a sterile heparin tube; inoculate Bactec Blood Culture Bottle if possible.

Storage Instructions: Room temperature

Causes for Rejection: Insufficient quantity, submission of container other than a Pediatric Isolator tube or heparin tube, clotted specimens may result in false negative cultures.

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 5 days

Specimen: Bone marrow aspirate

Volume: 1.5 ml

Container: Pediatric Isolator tube (1.5 ml), green topped heparin tubes, or Bactec Blood bottles available through Materials Management

Revised 6/22/2011 by T. Friloux