Test Code EARC Ear Culture
Specimen Type
Ear swab or drainage
Preferred Collection Container
E-SWAB
Collection Instructions
Specimens must be labeled with patient name, patient identification number, body site, date and time of collection and initials of person collecting specimen.
Collection Volume
1 swab
Minimum Collection Volume
1 swab
Rejection Criteria
Specimen not received in appropriate sterile container; Incomplete requisition; Unlabelled specimen.
Specimen Storage and Stability
<48 h Room Temperature.
Specimen must be delivered within 24 hours of collection to the North Campus Laboratory.
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
6:00am – 12:30am
Alias
Bacterial Culture of Ear Specimen; Ear Culture;
EPIC Code
LAB942
Acceptable Collection Container
Eswab—White or Blue (Mini-Tip) Cap
Turn Around Time
Cultures with no growth will be reported and final at 2 days. Reports on specimens from which pathogens are isolated will take a minimum of 2 days for completion.
Lab Department
Microbiology