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Test Code LAB2553 Joint Fluid Culture

Infectious

Clinical System Name

Joint Fluid Culture

Synonyms

Joint Aspirate Culture

Synovial Fluid Culture

LAB2553

Sample Requirements

Specimen: Joint or Synovial Fluid

Container: Sterile Container

Preferred Vol: 1.0+ mL

Minimum Vol: 0.5 mL

 

Volumes listed are per individual test unless otherwise noted.  If additional tests are needed, see the appropriate test entry for the additional volume required.

Processing Instructions

 

CPA: Send sample to Microbiology for processing. If only one tube, syringe or other container is received, affix shared sample label and send entire sample plus requisition to Microbiology .

 

Off-site collection:  Off-site Children's Lab locations should set up culture per Lucidoc  instructions. After set up, refrigerate remaining sample for courier pickup.

 

Other off-site locations, keep sample at room temperature until delivered and set up.

Stability

Conditions Time
Room temp 1 hour
Refrigerated N
Frozen N

 

Availability

Procedure Performed Turn Around Time (TAT)
Gram Stain 24/7

1 hour
Culture 24/7 2 - 7 days

 

Gram Stains on sterile fluids are performed STAT with a TAT of 1 hour. 

Cultures are read at appropriate intervals to detect early bacterial growth. STAT culture requests are not applicable.

Performing Laboratory

Seattle Children's Laboratory

 

Department

Microbiology Laboratory

CPT Codes

87070

87075

87205 (Gram stain)

This test is not limited to the CPT codes listed.  Others may be added as more testing is necessary and depending on the pathogens isolated (such as MIC's and ID's)

Description

Includes Bacterial Culture and Gram Stain. Specimen cultured for Aerobic and Anaerobic bacteria.

Reporting Information

Any growth on a sterile fluid is considered positive and reported.

 

Preliminary Report:  18 - 24 hours

Negative Final Report: 7 days

 

No Growth cultures are held for 7 days.

Notifiable Result

See Link below for Notifiable Conditions for WA state labs:

https://doh.wa.gov/public-health-healthcare-providers/notifiable-conditions

 

See Link below for PDF of phone numbers for Local Health jurisdictions (by County) in WA State:

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1200/LHJCommunicableDiseaseReporting.pdf

 

Note: Neisseria gonorrheae and N. meningitidis are Notifiable Conditions.