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Test Code LAB268 Culture, Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) with Gram Stain, Spinal Fluid

Important Note

  • Identification and susceptability test are billed separately from culture.
  • Samples submitted at ambient temperature only.
  • Gram stain is performed stat at Trinity Laboratories.
  • Please comment if a specific organism is suspected.
Infectious

Additional Codes

Sunquest: CCSF

Collection

Patient Preparation:

Aseptic CSF collection and transport of specimen.

Specimen Type:

Sterile Cerebral Spinal Fluid in CSF container (Tube 2)

Minimum Volume: 

0.5mL

Reasons for Rejection:

Specimen in a non-sterile container or does not meet collection, storage, or transport requirements.

Stability

Ambient: 24 hours

Refrigerated: Unacceptable

Frozen: Unacceptable

Reference Range

Culture Dependent

Methodology

Standard bacterial culture and identification.

Gram stain.

Performing Laboratory

Gram Stain

UnityPoint Health Trinity Bettendorf, IA

UnityPoint Health Trinity Rock Island, IL

Culture

UnityPoint Health Pathology Laboratory Ankeny, IA

Days Performed:

Set up Sunday-Saturday (Cultures read on day shift only).

Analytical Time:

Gram Stain: 1 hour

Culture: 

72 hours (no WBC's seen on Gram Stain)

5 days (WBC's seen on Gram Stain)

CPT Codes

Culture- 87070

Gram Stain- 87205