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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CULTURE, SINUS, AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2145    Geisinger Epic ID:  47518

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Maxillary sinus, sphenoid sinus, ethmoid sinus, frontal sinus.


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Anaerobic Transport Media (ATM)
ESwab
Specimen required: 

Sinus contents: As much as possible; minimum 1 mL.


Special notes: 

Specimens from nasal drainage or nasopharyngeal cultures usually do not correlate well with true sinus infection. Therefore, direct needle aspirate of the sinus is the specimen of choice.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

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


Transport temperature: 

Room temperature.


Specimen stability: 

Eswab: < 72 hours. 
Sterile container: < 24 hours. 
Anaerobic Transport Media: < 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. Normal flora, if applicable.


CPT code(s):  87070, 87205, 87075
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 and anaerobic pathogens. Semi-quantitation of normal flora if appropriate. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and bacterial identification performed as appropriate. Additional charges may apply.

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


Methodology: 
Culture
Synonyms: 

Aerobic, anaerobic, culture, respiratory, ANAR, SINCAA


Clinical significance: 

Isolation of potential respiratory pathogens can be useful in the diagnosis of sinus tract infection. The significance of any isolate must be evaluated when normal pharyngeal flora is present.


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

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