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HelpTest Code EGNC External Genital Culture & Stain
Infectious
Specimen and Container/Tube
Specimen Type: Cervix, vagina, vulva, vaginal cuff, labia, uretha, penile lesions, scrotal lesions
Preferred Specimen: Transport swab
Other Acceptable specimens: Sterile, sealable, screw-cap container or rubber-capped syringe
Specimen Stability
|
Storage Temperature |
Stability |
|
Room temperature (20 - 25°C) |
24 hours |
|
Refrigerated (2 - 10°C) |
not acceptable |
|
Frozen (-20°C) |
not acceptable |
Collection Instructions
Specimen Collection:
Cervix: Wipe cervix clean ofvaginal secretions and mucus. Using a speculum with no lubricant, compress the cervix. Obtain exudate from endocervical glands.
Urethra: Wipe urethra clean with sterile gauze. Obtain exudate o rdischarge with swab. Alternatively, a swab may be inserted 2 cm inside the urethra for specimen collection.
Vagina: Use a speculum with no lubricant. Aspirate or swab material from high on the vaginal wall.
Vaginal cuff: Aspirateof abscess by physician.
Vulva/labia: Clean lesion with saline; do not use alcohol. Remove crust if present. Abrade lesion to obtain fluid or scrape beneath extending border of lesion.
Penile/scrotum lesions: Clean skin surface with 70% alcohol.
Specimen Transport: Immediate
Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions
UCMC Onsite Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
Rejection Criteria
- Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, incorrect collection container, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits.
Reference Values
|
Test |
Age |
Sex |
Reference Range |
|
Culture |
All |
All |
No Growth/Normal Flora |
| Stain | All | All | No organisms seen |
Turnaround Time
Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory.
STAT Turnaround Time: Stat smear upon request
Routine Turnaround Time: 3 days
Testing Schedule: Monday - Sunday
Clinical Indications
- Aid in the diagnosis of bacterial infections.
Methodology
Conventional culture on media
CPT Codes
87070, 87205
LOINC Codes
30587070, 30687205
Synonyms/Keyword Search
BACTERIAL CULTURE, CULTURE, FEMALE GENITAL, VAGINAL CX, CERVICAL CX, GC CX, MALE GENITAL
Last Review Date
04/03/2026