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Test Code THRC Culture, Throat

Infectious

Additional Codes

EPIC LAB4528

Purpose

For the detection of clinically significant bacterial upper-respiratory pathogens on patients under age 16.  Unless a specific organism is requested, all throat specimens on patients over 16 years of age should be ordered as a Throat Strep Screen.  Do NOT order for a Throat Strep Screen culture back-up.

Methodology

Conventional culture

Sample Type

  • Culture Swab (Throat only)

Specimen Stability

Temperature Time
Ambient (18-25°C) 24 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C) N/A
Frozen (-15 to -20°C) N/A

 

Result Reporting

  • Respiratory flora quantitation (rare, few, moderate, many)
  • Presence/absence of beta strep (e.g. "No beta strep isolated")
  • Workup of clinically significant pathogens

Rejection Criteria

  • Samples outside of stability limits
  • Samples collected with inappropriate swab
  • Samples not properly labled (2 patient identifiers required)

Availability

Performed STAT
24/7 No

 

Performing Laboratory

MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital Laboratory

Lab Department

Microbiology

CPT Code

87070

87185

LOINC

626-2 Bacteria identified Cx Nom (Throat)