AFB Culture, Bone Marrow

General Information

Lab Name

Lab Code

AFBBNM

Epic Ordering

AFB Culture, Bone Marrow

Description

See Lab Mnemonic AFB Culture, Blood [AFBBC] for AFB culture on adult blood.

Synonyms

Acid Fast, AFB, Bone Marrow, MAC, MTB, Mycobacteria, TB, Tuberculosis

Components

Method: BD BACTEC™ Myco/F Lytic Culture Vials

BD BACTEC™ FX40 System for Mycobacteria Blood Cultures
Reference Range: See individual components

Specimen Type: Bone Marrow
Collection: Disinfect draw site AND TUBE TOP. Allow disinfectant to dry. Do NOT overfill or underfill. Inoculate the maximum volume for optimal sensitivity of culture.

Collect bone marrow in BD Vacutainer SPS tube

If an AFB stain from bone marrow is also requested, prepare two smears. AFB Direct Stain [AFBST]

HMC: Contact HMC Microbiology at 206-744-5858 for SPS tube.

UW-MT: Contact UW-MT Microbiology at 206-598-6147 for SPS tube. Specimen will be sent to HMC for testing.

UW-NW: Contact UW-NW specimen processing at 206-668-2026 for SPS tube. Specimen will be sent to HMC for testing.

Unacceptable: Any anticoagulant other than SPS.
Handling Instructions: Transport at room temperature to HMC Microbiology laboratory ASAP.

Specimens older than 15 hours will be rejected.

Specimen must be received in HMC Microbiology BEFORE 10:30 pm for same day processing

If an AFB stain is requested, transport 2 smears in a slide container taped closed and labeled BIOHAZARD.
Quantity: requested: 1.5 mL Bone Marrow
minimum: 0.75 mL Bone Marrow

Processing: At login, enter the phlebotomy site. If a bone marrow AFB stain is requested AND stains were received, also log in AFBST.

LIS Dept Code

Microbiology (MC)

Performing Location(s)

HMC	Microbiology 206-744-5858 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420

Frequency

Daily: 7:00 - 22:30 [Midnight Shift: leave SPS tube at room temperature and leave a message to alert Dayshift Microbiology.]

Available STAT?