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HelpTest Code JFC Culture, Joint Fluid, Bacteria
Additional Codes
Gram stain
Aerobic culture
Specimen and Container/Tube
Specimen Type: Joint fluid in yellow-top vacutainer tube with SPS or sterile container
Preferred Specimen:
Other Acceptable specimens: not applicable
Specimen Stability
|
Storage Temperature |
Stability |
|
Room temperature (20 - 25°C) |
24 hours |
|
Refrigerated (2 - 10°C) |
48 hours. |
|
Frozen (-20°C) |
not acceptable |
Collection Instructions
Specimen Collection: Decontamination of overlying skin and aspiration of fluid.
Specimen Transport: 24 hr, no refrigeration.
See Microbiology Specimen Collection:
- See category Body Fluid (other than blood, urine, or CSF)“, Table 1 ”caps">BACTERIOLOGY, CHLAMYDIA, MYCOLOGY, MYCOBACTERIOLOGY (AFB), VIROLOGY
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. Specimens must be received within 24 hours.
Rejection Criteria
Whole blood/unspun samples greater than 6 hours will be
rejected.
No swabs or BACTEC bottles.
Reference Values
|
Joint Fluid culture |
All |
Male and female |
No Growth |
Critical Values
Joint Fluid culture isolated with critical pathogens.
Clinical Indications
- Screening test for various infections
- Useful in the diagnosis of disease
Test Components
Gram stain
Aerobic culture
Inoculation and testing of aerobic and anaerobic BACTEC bottles if
sufficient fluid volume is
received
CPT Codes
87015, 87070, 87205
LOINC Codes
30687015, 30987070, 30687205
Methodology
Conventional culture media.
Volume
Adult volume: 1 mL
Pediratric Volume : 1 mL
Turnaround Time
Gram stain only: within 1 hour of receipt in Microbiology
lab,
if STAT
requested.
Routine Turnaround Time: 1-3 days
Testing Schedule: 24/7
Synonyms/Search Keywords
Aerobic culture, Joint Fluid
Last Reviewed Date
05/18/2022