Culture, CSF
Orderable EAP code:
Billable EAP Codes:
CPT Codes:
Lab Section:
Turnaround Time:
5 Days
Test Schedule:
24 hours, 7 days
Critical Values:
See link
Related Links:
Specimen Requirements:
SPECIMEN COLLECTION, TRANSPORT, AND HANDLING:
Lumbar Puncture or shunt: Collect CSF into a minimum of three sterile calibrated tubes for routine chemistry (Tube 1), bacterial culture (tube 2), and hematology (tube 3). Additional tubes may be collected depending on clinical presentation and the extent of CSF testing required (8-15 mL is typically removed during lumbar puncture). NOTE: Microbiology culture should not be performed from tube 1 due to risk of contamination by skin microorganisms. Ideally culture should be set from tube #2. Submit to laboratory as soon as possible after collection. Do not refrigerate.
Causes for Rejection: 1. If insufficient volume, call ordering provider to prioritize test requests. 2. CSF specimens should almost never be rejected. Specimens in leaky containers may be processed but alert the ordering provider of contamination and add a note to indicate the possibility of contamination in the laboratory report. “Specimen received in leaky container. Interpret results with caution”.
Stability: 24 hours at room temperature. If CSF is received after 24 hours, add comment, “CSF received in the Microbiology Laboratory past the 24-hour stability cutoff. Interpret results with caution.”
Pediatric Specimen Requirements:
As above.
Synonyms:
Cerebrospinal Fluid Culture
CSF Culture
Spinal Fluid Culture