Specimen Requirements

Title

Culture, Respiratory (Sputum, Throat, Nasal)

Specimen Requirement

Sputum, not saliva; throat or nasal swab. First morning sputum specimen preferred. Requires sterile container for sputum; sterile swab transport media for throat or nasal. More than one culture per day not indicated.

Methodology

Conventional culture technique

Stability

Room Temp: 72 hours

Reference Range

By Report

Turnaround

3 days

Clinical Use

The culture isolates and identifies significant pathogens responsible for respiratory related infections.

Test Code

RES