Throat Culture

Last Modified: 10/5/2023 12:44:08 PM


Medical Necessity Documentation:  
Client Notes: See Strep A Direct for rapid Group A Strep detection

A GC Culture should be ordered to detect GC in the Throat

Deep Abcesses should be ordered as an Anaerobic Culture
Patient Preparation:  
Specimen Requirements:

1 Liquid Amies Culture Swab
 

OR

eSwabs
Collection Instructions: Current antibiotic therapy, collection site and/or source all must be written on the test requisition

Please specify if looking for Pertussis, Yeast or Diphtheria on the requisition

  1. Use a sterile eSwab collection kit.
  2. A kit contains one swab. Check expiration date before use. Only touch swab above pink line.
  3. Ask the patient to tilt their head back. Depress tongue with tongue blade. 
  4. Check for inflamed areas. With the swab against the back wall of the throat, move up and down into the uvula area. 
  5. Touch any white patches in the tonsillar area. Do not touch the tongue, cheeks, or teeth with the swab to avoid contamination with oral bacteria.                                                       
  6. Place swab into tube and break off at pink line. 
  7. Cap tube tightly. 
Transport & Storage: Temperature/Stability: 24 hours Ambient (preferred)
48 hours Refrigerated
Reference Range:

Growth consistent with normal oral flora, no group A strep isolated.
Critical Ranges:  
Test Comments:  
Methodology: Manual
Clinical Significance:  
Documentation:  
Custom Panel: No

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Turn Around Time: 2 days
Days Performed: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Sites Performed: Parkview Regional Medical Center
PHL Test Code: CXTHR
EPIC Test Code: LAB228
Alternate Test Names: Culture Throat; Culture, Throat; Oropharyngeal Culture
Included Tests:  
CPT Coding: 87081 (Reflexes 87147)

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