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Test Code CGENITAL Culture, Genital

Important Note

Routine bacterial culture on Genital Sources from women of child-bearing age is not appropriate for isolation of pathogens from this population. If a specific cause of vaginitis is suspected that will grow on routine culture media (i.e. Staphylococcus aureus), then this must be specified when ordering.

Additional Codes

  • Expanse Test Name: Culture w/Gram Stain Genital
  • Medinet Ref Code: 470
  • OV Code:RM*CGENITAL

Performing Laboratory

St. Lukes Hospital Laboratory

Methodology

Conventional Culture
Includes a Gram stain on tissues, fluids, and specimens from males.  On female lower genital tract spedimens a gram stain must be ordered.   Identification is performed on all positive cultures at an additional charge.

Note:  If anything other than bacteria is suspected, order the specific test for that organism. See #CCHLTR “Culture, Chlamydia trachomatis,” #8192 “Ureaplasma urealyticum Culture,” #81501 “Culture, Mycoplasma hominis,” or #80575 “Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) by Rapid PCR.”

Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 1 hour of collection.

 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Prostate or Vagina

1. Collect exudate using a culture swab.

2. Return swab to transport tube.
3. Break off stem, and replace cap on transport tube.
4. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Do not leave specimen unattended. Hand deliver to laboratory technician.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Urethra (Males)
1. Patient should not urinate for at least 1 hour before specimen collection.
2. Express and discard any urethral discharge before collecting specimen.
3. Insert culture swab 2 cm to 4 cm into urethra.

4. Rotate swab using pressure to dislodge cells. Allow swab to remain in place for 2 to 3 seconds.
5. Withdraw swab.

6. Return swab to transport tube.
7. Break off stem, and replace cap on transport tube.
8. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

9. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Do not leave specimen unattended. Hand deliver to laboratory technician.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Vaginal for KOH and/or Trichomonas

1. Collect exudate using a Dacron® swab. (Calcium alginate swab or swab with wooden shaft is not acceptable.)

2. Make a heavy inoculum in tube with 1 mL of sterile saline (preferred) or return swab to transport tube.
3. Break off stem, and replace cap on transport tube.
4. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Do not leave specimen unattended. Hand deliver to laboratory technician.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Reference Values

Negative

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87070 - Culture
87205 - Gram stain
87077 - Identification (if appropriate)