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HelpTest Code PLFC Culture, Pleural Fluid, Bacteria
Specimen and Container/Tube
Pleural Fluid
Sterile container or sterile container with BACTEC bottles. No swabs.
Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions
Transpot Instructions
See UCMC Collection Instructions
Rejection Criteria
Whole blood/unspun specimens greater than 6 hours will be rejected.
Reference Values
Negative
Critical Values
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All positive culture
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All |
Turnaround Time
Turnaround Time
Gram stain only: within 1 hr of receipt in Microbiology lab; if STAT requested
STAT Turnaround Time
Gram stain only: within 1 hr of receipt in Microbiology lab; if STAT requested
Day(s) Performed
24/7
STAT DAY(S) AND TIME(S) PERFORMED
Available
CPT Codes
87015, 87070, 87205
LOINC Codes
30687015, 31287070, 30687205
Volume
Specimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Pediatric Volume
1 mL
Collection Instructions
Offsite Collection Instructions
See UCMC Collection Instructions
UCMC 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 BACTERIOLOGY, CHLAMYDIA, MYCOLOGY, MYCOBACTERIOLOGY (AFB), VIROLOGY
Test Components
Gram stain
Aerobic culture
Inoculation and testing of aerobic and anaerobic BACTEC bottles if sufficient fluid volume is received
Methodology
Conventional culture media
Last Reviewed Date
08/12/2022