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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CULTURE, EYE, AEROBIC

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2131    Geisinger Epic ID:  47508

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Corneal scrapings, conjunctiva, lesion, ulcer, lacrimal duct. 
NOTE: For donor corneal rim cultures, order Culture, Foreign Body, Aerobic and Anaerobic.

           For vitreous/aqueous fluid, order Culture, Body Fuild, Aerobic.


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Amies or Liquid Stuarts Swab
Inoculated culture media
Specimen required: 

One swab. 
Pre-inoculate culture media plate(s).


Special notes: 

Check expiration date on transport device or culture media before use. When collecting specimen, take precaution to avoid contamination with normal bacterial flora.


Patient preparation: 

Use skin disinfection procedure as appropriate.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Immediately transport all specimens to the laboratory to optimize bacterial recovery.


Transport temperature: 

Room temperature.


Specimen stability: 

Eswab/Other swab: < 72 hours.


Rejection criteria: 

Improperly labeled/identified specimen. Improperly collected specimens. Expired transport device. Grossly contaminated specimens. Delay in transport or transport at the wrong temperature.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

No growth.


CPT code(s):  87070, 87205
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Isolation and identification of aerobic pathogens. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and bacterial identification performed as appropriate. Additional charges may apply.

Optimal microbiology practices and recommendations indicate that a Gram stain is to be performed on all ocular specimens. For that reason, a Gram stain is included at an additional charge with this culture.


Methodology: 
Culture
Synonyms: 

Aerobic, culture, ocular culture, corneal culture, ROUT, EYECA


Clinical significance: 

Significance is determined by relating the growth of a particular microorganism to a specific body site/disease.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Donna Wolk PhD, D(ABMM)
Raquel Martinez, PhD, D(ABMM)
Review Date:  12/31/2024

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