Alberta Precision Laboratories

--- Query Results ---

Organization:	Alberta Precision Laboratories

Message Alert:	PLEASE NOTE: This Test Directory is in an interim state and due to changes pertaining to the DynaLIFE transition, performing site for routing has not been updated. Please refer to Laboratory Information System for appropriate routing.

Test Name/Synonym:	Tissue Culture, Routine (Synonym: Biopsy, Curettings, Vegetation, Graft, Prosthetic joint infection)
Test Includes:	Gram stain and culture. APL Regional Microbiology performs testing for specimens collected at Regional Hospital Sites. See below for test information. For all other patients, including community and hospital patients in Calgary, Edmonton, and rural sites, refer to: Tissue culture, routine (Calgary/South) Tissue culture, bacterial/yeast (Edmonton/Central/North) Tissue culture, prosthetic joint (Edmonton/Central/North)
Ordering Alert:	Clearly indicate on the requisition or on a Connect Care order, if the specimen is associated with prosthetic material, hardware, or implanted device. Use checklist when collecting intra-operative specimens for diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection

LABID (Connect Care):	LAB271

Specimen Type:	Tissue
Primary Container:	60 mL sterile, plastic specimen container OR Anaerobic transport system (PRAS, BBL Port-A-Cul, Starplex-Anaerobic or equivalent) OR Sterile container with Amies transport media (only available at some sites)
Minimum Collection Volume:	Collect tissue samples large enough to allow performance of all required tests (e.g. 3-4 mm biopsy sample). For diagnosis of prosthetic joint infections (PJI), collect 5-6 tissue specimens. Place each specimen in a separate container.
Specimen Collection Requirements:	Collect tissue specimens under aseptic conditions. Avoid any contamination when placing tissue into the specimen container. For large tissue specimens: place the tissue in a sterile, plastic container. Moisten with transport media or non-bacteriostatic (preservative-free) saline. For small tissue specimens: embed the tissue into the transport media within 5mm from the bottom. Replace and tighten the lid immediately. If transport media is not available at your site, place in sterile container and cover with saline. For multiple specimen collections, ensure that each specimen container has a corresponding requisition. Additional instructions for prosthesis-related specimens: Sharp dissection is recommended for excision, rather than cautery. Collect 5 to 6 tissues, each 3-4 mm in size. DO NOT send swabs. Collect each tissue from a different suspected area - ideally from the inter-surface membrane. Use different instruments for each tissue, to avoid cross-contamination. Place each tissue sample in a separate container. Cover with transport media or preservative-free saline. Each tissue sample requires a separate requisition. Notes: Tissue biopsy/sample should be collected from areas within and adjacent to the area of infection. Avoid swab collection if tissue samples can be obtained. Viable, infected tissues are always superior to a swab. Tissue submitted in a dry, sterile container are sub-optimal and will compromise the recovery of fastidious organisms. Ensure container does not leak and lid is not cross-threaded.
Test Resources:	Order in Connect Care, or use Community Microbiology Requisition - 20571
Stability and Storage:	Room temperature
Transportation:	Transport specimen to laboratory as soon as possible
Testing Area:	Microbiology

Performing Site:	Chinook Regional Hospital Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Medicine Hat Regional Hospital Northern Lights Regional Hospital Red Deer Regional Hospital
Additional Test Information:	Specimen will be rejected if submitted in formalin or in a non-sterile container.

Last Updated On:	Wednesday, July 3, 2024

--- Query Results ---