Akron Children's Logo
Skip to main content
Close Tools Menu Icon

Operator:

330-543-1000

Questions or Referrals:
ASK CHILDREN‘S

Close Phone Menu Icon
Akron Children's > For Healthcare Professionals > Lab Tests : Akron | Mahoning Valley

Sputum Culture

PATIENT INFO
Patient Name:
Medical Record #:
BD:       /      /         Sex:   F   M

PHYSICIAN INFO
Physician Name :
Address:
Ph: (      )      -          Fax: (      )      -       
Additional Report to:
Ph: (      )      -          Fax: (      )      -       

TESTS REQUESTED
Test Name: ICD9 Code: (required)
1. Sputum Culture  
2.  
3.  
4.  
5.  
6.  

SPECIMEN INFO
Collection Date & Time:
Collected By:
Hospital:
Test ID :
LAB900
Specimen Type:
1.0 mL sputum collected in sterile container.
Minimum Volume:
Sputum minimum volume is 0.5 mL.
Cause for Rejection:
Quantity not sufficient, improper specimen type, improper storage/transport, mislabeled, or unlabeled.
Storage:
Transport refrigerated required from off campus location. Upon arrival in laboratory, store refrigerated.
Availability:
Monday thru Sunday (08:00 - 15:00)
Methodology:
Culture
Special Instructions:
Sputum Collection:
Collect specimen resulting from a deep cough into sterile cup. A specimen may be obtained by sterile suction technique using a Luki-trap by passing a sterile suction catheter along floor of nose to nasopharynx. When the patient coughs, suction the specimen into trap.
Obtain specimen by suction only with physician order.
Twenty-four hour sputum collections are not recommended for culture.
If possible, have the patient rinse mouth and gargle with water prior to sputum collection. Instruct the patient not to spit saliva or postnasal discharge into the container.

A gram stain smear result on sputum specimens will show epithelial cells. A sputum specimen containing > 25 epithelial cells per low power field has been contaminated with oropharyngeal secretions during collection, indicating a poor-quality specimen for culture. Lab may indicate the need for specimen recollection. Lab evaluates the specimen for the predominant pathogenic morphotype if the physician requests a culture on available specimen.

For culture of sputum from Cystic fibrosis patients, please order the Sputum Culture, CF (LAB1018) test.
Lab/Phone:
330-543-8406
TAT:
72 hours
CPT Code:
87070
Synonyms:
Sputum Cx

Back to top of page

By using this site, you consent to our use of cookies. To learn more, read our privacy policy.