Test directory: Aspirate Culture with Gram Stain

Ordering Code 5521
Test Name Aspirate Culture with Gram Stain
Preferred Container Sterile Container (e.g. Vacutainer tube without preservative)
Other Specimen/Container Syringe with needle removed and replaced with a Luer Tip
Cap. Bacterial transport devices without transport media.
Optimum Volume 3 mL
Transport Requirements Oahu: Ambient
Airline: Ambient
Specimen Stability Ambient: 1 Day
Aspirate specimens will be accepted up to 2 days, but fastidious organisms may not remain viable after 1 day, or if specimen is received refrigerated.
Rejection Criteria Expired container/transport media, Frozen, Leaking specimen
Avail. Stat YES
Analytic Time Up to 5 Days
Preliminary reports at 24 and 48 hours. Additional time is required for identification and/or susceptibility testing if culture is positive.
Methodology Gram stain - microscopic examination of smear for bacteria and differentiation using a Gram stain
Culture - visual examination for bacterial growth on selective and non-selective media.

Reference range(s)

The reference ranges listed below are valid on this date of November 22, 2025.
Component Age Male Norm Male Critical Low Male Critical High Female Norm Female Critical High Female Critical Low Units Add'l info
Source: ALL See report.
Report Status: ALL See report.
Gram Stain: ALL See report.
Culture ALL See report.