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HelpTest Code LAB2556 Nose Culture
Infectious
Clinical System Name
Nose Culture
Synonyms
External Nares Culture
Nasal Culture
LAB2556
Sample Requirements
In-House Specimen Collection: Sample should be collected by inserting a swab into the external nares. Rotate swab against the nasal mucosa to absorb secretions. Collect using BD ESwab and insert swab into Amies transport media provided in the collection kit.
Off-Site Specimen Collection: Same as above.
Container: Insert swab into the transport media tube provided in the package.
Preferred Vol: N/A
Minimum Vol: N/A
Processing Instructions
CPA: Send sample to Microbiology for processing.
Off-site collection: Nose cultures are not set up at Off-site Children's Lab locations. Sample should be kept at room temperature until and during transport to SCH Lab.
Other off-site locations, keep sample at room temperature until and during transport to SCH Lab.
Stability
| BD ESwab | |
|---|---|
| Temp | Time |
| Room temp | 24 hours |
| Refrigerated | OK for up to 48 hours |
| Frozen | N |
Availability
| Procedure | Performed | Turn Around Time (TAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Gram Stain | N/A |
N/A |
| Culture | 24/7 | 48 - 72 hours |
Cultures are read at appropriate intervals to detect early bacterial growth. STAT requests are not applicable.
Gram stains are not performed on Nose cultures.
Performing Laboratory
Seattle Children's Laboratory
Department
Microbiology Laboratory
CPT Codes
87070
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
Aerobic Bacterial Culture for rule out of Group A Strep (Streptococcus pyogenes) and Staphylococcus aureus.
Gram Stain is not performed.
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
Reporting Information
Preliminary Report: 18 - 24 hours
Negative Final Report: 48 hours