Specimen received in nonsterile container. Sputum specimen containing food particles. Specimen sent on swab is not appropriate for culture.
Storage:
Ambient
Availability:
Daily
Methodology:
Culture
Special Instructions:
Sputum culture includes gram stain to check the quality of the specimen. A gram stain showing >25 squamous epithelial cells indicates that the specimen is contaminated with saliva and should be repeated if possible. The laboratory will communicate with the nurse or doctor if the specimen is contaminated to ascertain whether the specimen should be cultured. A CF patient will be processed regardless of gram stain result per CF protocol.
Specimen received in nonsterile container. Sputum specimen containing food particles. Specimen sent on swab is not appropriate for culture.
Storage:
Ambient
Availability:
Daily
Methodology:
Culture
Special Instructions:
Sputum culture includes gram stain to check the quality of the specimen. A gram stain showing >25 squamous epithelial cells indicates that the specimen is contaminated with saliva and should be repeated if possible. The laboratory will communicate with the nurse or doctor if the specimen is contaminated to ascertain whether the specimen should be cultured. A CF patient will be processed regardless of gram stain result per CF protocol.
