8466P Sputum Culture

Specimen Type Specimen Stability Reference Range
Sputum 24 Hours Refrigerated See Report

Specimen Requirements

Sputum should be submitted in sterile, leak-proof container
Specimen Type:Sputum

Method

Bacteriologic culture, which includes routine isolation and identification procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility testing performed when appropriate.

Schedule

Monday-Saturday

Clinical Utility

By plating specimens from patients with clinical symptoms onto selective media, it is possible to identify the etiologic causes of infections.

CPT Codes

87070, 87205 If culture is positive, identification and susceptibility (if appropriate) will be performed at an additional charge.