Test Overview
Test Methodology

Culture

Test Usage

Isolation and identification of potentially pathogenic organisms

Reference Range *

No growth

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Limitations

If specimen is refrigerated, N. gonorrhoeae, H. influenzae and other fastidious organisms may not be isolated, even though they are present in the specimen. If the culture grows 3 or more significant organisms, no further identification or susceptibilities will be done except on: Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin resistant Enterococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii complex, Group A Beta Streptococcus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Daily
Analytic Time

Preliminary results are reported in 18-24 hours. The health care provider will be notified of positive abdominal, amniocentesis, ascites, dialysate, peritoneal, pleural, pericardial, bone marrow, aqueous fluid, vitreous fluid, or synovial fluid cultures. Negative cultures are reported after 6 days; negative ventricular (shunt) fluid cultures are reported after 10 days.

Soft Order Code
BSBF
MiChart Code
Sterile Body Fluid Culture, Aerobic
Synonyms
  • SBFBA
  • Abdominal Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Aerobic Culture, Bone Marrow
  • Amniocentesis Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Aqueous Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Ascitic Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Bone Marrow, Aerobic Culture
  • Culture, Bone Marrow, Aerobic
  • Pericardial Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Pleural Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Prostatic Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Synovial Fluid, Aerboic Culture
  • Thoracentesis Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Ventriculostomy Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Vitreous Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Abdominal Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Bursa Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Paracentesis Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • Culture, Body Fluid, Sterile
  • Sterile Body Fluid Culture / Smear
  • Peritoneal Fluid, Aerobic Culture
  • SBFG
  • SBFI
  • STERILE BODY FLUID CULTURE
  • STERILE BODY FLUID CULTURE
  • STERILE BODY FLUID CULTURE
  • BSBF
Laboratory
Microbiology
Section
Microbiology
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Acceptable Specimen type: abdominal, amniocentesis, aqueous, ascites, bone marrow, bursa, paracentesis, pericardial, peritoneal, pleural, synovial, thoracentesis, bone marrow, ventricular or vitreous. DO NOT SEND SWABS. Avoid contamination with normal flora from other body surfaces.Specimen Collection: Cleanse area with soap solution. Remove soap with 70% ethanol. Apply 1% tincture of iodine. Leave on skin 2-4 minutes for maximum effectiveness. Remove with 70% alcohol. If patient is allergic to iodine, alcohol can be used alone. Do not touch prepared skin during collection of specimen.

Normal Volume
10.0 ml fluid
Minimum Volume
0.5 ml fluid
Storage Temperature
Ambient: Up to 24 hrs: BACTEC culture transport(amniocentesis, pericardial, peritoneal, peritoneal dialysate, pleural,synovial)-send additional fluid in sterile container for gram stain; Send other fluids in sterile container
Refrigerated: Fluid in sterile container up to 24 hrs
Frozen: No
Additional Information

Test includes culture and Gram stain smear if sufficient specimen is received. Potentially pathogenic organisms will be identified. Test includes susceptibility testing of potentially pathogenic organism(s) at an additional charge unless specifically declined. If anaerobic organisms are suspected, an anaerobic culture should be sent. Use of Aerobic BACTEC blood culture transport shows improved recovery of bacteria and yeast; if a gram stain is needed, send additional fluid in a sterile tube or container.

Billing
CPT Code
87070 Culture, 87205 Smear
Fee Code
32264