Culture for Bacterial Infections of the Ear
POWERCHART ORDER -Ear Culture, Ear Culture (Ear-Swab)
Useful For
Culture for infections of the ear which may involve either the external ear canal (otitis externa) or middle ear (otitis media).
Method Name
Culture
Aliases
Ear, Ear Culture
Specimen Type
External Ear: (otitis externa)
- E-Swab
Internal Ear :(otitis media)
- Green mini-tip E-Swabs
Aspirate: (otitis externa) (otitis media)
- Clean, sterile, leakproof container or StarSwab or ACT tube.
Specimen Required
External Ear: (otitis externa)
- E-Swab
Internal Ear :(otitis media)
- Green mini-tip E-Swabs
Aspirate: (otitis externa) (otitis media)
- Clean, sterile, leakproof container or StarSwab or ACT tube.
Specimen Minimum Volume
- 1 swab
- 1 mL of aspirate.
Specimen Stability Information
- Transport specimens at room temperature.
- Swabs and Anaerobic transport media are stable for 48 hours after collection.
- Aspirate material must be received within 2 hours of collection.
Rejected Due To
Specimens not transported at room temperature.
Swabs and Anaerobic transport media older than 48 hours after collection.
Aspirate material must be received greater than 2 hours of collection.
*NOTE* Specimens that do not meet the above criteria will be rejected
Special Instructions
- Specimens must be labeled with complete source and body site information.
- Exam includes direct smear (gram stain) and susceptibility testing, if appropriate, for the isolates recovered.
Performing Laboratory
Glens Falls Hospital Microbiology Laboratory
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
- Day Shift
- 7 Days per week
Analytical Time
3 days
Specimen Retention Time
72 hours
Test Classification
Culture
Analytical Time
3 days