R/O Nocardia Culture with Modified AFB Smear

General Information

Lab Name

R/O Nocardia C/S

Lab Code

NOCRC

Epic Name

Culture Nocardia w/ Stain

Description

Test is for rule out Nocardia only. If full bacterial or fungal cultures are also needed, order additional separate cultures appropriate for specimen source.

Note: Cultures positive for Nocardia will include susceptibility testing.

Synonyms

Nocardia Culture

Components

Code	Name
SDES	Specimen Description
SREQ	Special Requests
MAFB	Modified Acid Fast Stain
CULT	Culture
RPT	Report Status

Interpretation

Reference Range: See individual components

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type: Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL), biopsy, aspirate, CSF, sputum (less optimal specimen)
Collection: Preferred: Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) or biopsy.

Acceptable: CSF, aspirate, sputum.

Unacceptable: Specimens collected in Universal Transport Medium (UTM); frozen specimens; leaking specimens; specimens received >24 hours after collection; specimens collected with expired swabs/transport media.
Handling Instructions: BAL/sputum: Transport specimens in a sterile, leak-proof container, ideally within 2 hours of collection at room temperature, but not more than 24 hours after collection.

Tissue/Fluid: Transport in a sterile container at room temperature, ideally within 2 hours of collection, but not more than 24 hours after collection.

Swab (less optimal): Preferred method of transport is ESwab. Gel swab is acceptable. Transport at room temperature, ideally within 4 hours of collection, but not more than 24 hours after collection.

Refrigerated samples are acceptable, but not ideal if bacterial cultures are also ordered on same specimen. Frozen samples are not acceptable for culture. Alternatively, PCR testing is available on frozen specimens. See Bacterial PCR reflex NGS [BCTDNA] (from sterile sites only).

Specimens will be rejected if received >24 hours after collection. Viability of organisms is significantly reduced after 24 hours.
Quantity: Requested: BAL: >1 mL; Biopsy: 0.5-1 cm diameter tissue; Sputum: 5-10 mL (Tracheal aspirate 1-2 mL); Swab in transport media
Minimum: BAL: 1 mL; Biopsy: 0.2 cm diameter tissue; Sputum: 1 mL

Processing

Receiving Instructions: Frozen specimens are not acceptable for culture. If sterile site specimens are received frozen, call the ordering physician and offer BCTDNA instead.

Misc Sendout

Performance

Lab Department

Microbiology(MC)

Frequency

Processed upon receipt

Available STAT?

Performing Location(s)

HMC	Microbiology 206-744-5858 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420
UW-MT	Microbiology 206-520-4600 Clinical Lab, Room # NW177, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195

Other Locations/Notes

UW-MT Microbiology performs testing for UW-MT and UW-NW.

Billing & Coding

CPT Codes: 87081, 87206
LOINC: 43365-6