Turnaround Time Physician will be notified of all positive smears and cultures within 24 hours. Negative cultures are reported after 8 weeks.
Special Instructions The following information must be provided to the laboratory for the proper processing of the specimen: specific site of specimen, current antibiotic therapy, age and sex of patient, collection time and date, physician's name and pager number, and clinical diagnosis.
Collection The portion of the surgical specimen submitted for culture should be separated from the portion submitted for histopathology by the surgeon utilizing sterile technique. Do not place in formalin.
Storage Instructions Transport specimen to the laboratory immediately. Do not store or refrigerate.
Causes for Rejection Specimen in fixative solution, specimen not received in sterile container. If an unacceptable specimen is received, the appropriate nursing station will be notified and another specimen will be requested.
Use Isolate and identify mycobacteria; establish the etiology of granulomatous disease, fever of unknown origin (FUO) particularly in immunocompromised patients and others with defects of cellular immunity
Methodology AFB stain, culture identification and susceptibility testing when indicated
