Skin Culture and Sensitivity with Gram Stain

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General Information

Lab Name
Skin C/S w/Gram
Lab Code
SKINC
Epic Ordering
Culture Skin, Bact w/ Stain
Description

This test is intended for aerobic culture of superficial skin sites only. For all other wound sites, see Place Holder for Wound Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity with Gram Stain [WNDPHC].

For R/O Staph aureus only C/S, order R/O Staph aureus Bacterial Culture only without Gram [STAPHC]

Synonyms
Components

Interpretation

Reference Range
See individual components
Guidelines

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type
Skin (Superficial sites only)
Collection

Remove surface exudate before collecting specimen.

Swab: Preferred method of transport is ESwab. Gel swab is acceptable.

Unacceptable: Specimens collected in Universal Transport Medium (UTM); dry swabs; specimens collected with expired swabs/transport media.

Handling Instructions

Swabs: Transport at room temperature, ideally within 4 hours of collection, but not more than 24 hours after collection.

Specimens will be rejected if received > 24 hours after collection. Viability of organisms is significantly reduced after 24 hours.

Quantity
requested: Eswab
minimum: Eswab

Processing

Processing

Order TISC instead if skin BIOPSY. Order TISQNC instead if quantitative skin biopsy; see TISQNC for specimen deadlines.

Performance

LIS Dept Code
Microbiology (MC)
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.

Frequency
Processed upon receipt
Available STAT?
Yes-Gram stain

Billing & Coding

CPT codes
87070, 87205
LOINC
620-5
Interfaced Order Code
UOW2946