EARC
� Ear Culture
PURPOSE:
Samples are cultured and evaluated for infective agents of acute otitis
media, otitis media with effusion, and otitis externa
(swimmers ear).
TURN
AROUND TIME:
Presumptive results are available in as little as 48 hours
from the time that the sample is received by our lab.
Confirmation of presumptive results takes
an additional 24 hours. Estimated
test time is dependent on specific test and on when test is
initiated. Samples received in late afternoon or evening will
not be started until the following morning, unless RUSH/STAT
analysis is requested, in which an additional fee is applied.
TYPICAL
POSITIVE RESULTS:
- Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus spp, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Moraxella catarrhalis:
Otitis Media
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Swimmers ear
NORMAL
VALUES/NEGATIVE RESULTS: Low counts of Staphylococcus epidermidis,
Lactobacillus organisms, and Propionibacterium acnes.
SPECIMEN
REQUIREMENTS:
Sample Collection:
Qualified individuals should clean the ear first with a mild
germicide to prevent contamination with normal skin flora,
after which, a specimen of middle ear fluid can be collected
using an approved, sterile swab, which RML can provide, free of
charge, upon request. DO NOT REFRIGERATE THE SPECIMEN.
Individuals collecting samples should use aseptic technique
and employ proper protocols when collecting samples intended
for lab testing (e.g. use of gloves, avoid contaminating
sampling equipment & containers, proper storage after
sampling, etc). Chain of Custody: Label container with sample number,
collection date & time, sample description (Type, Lot, Sell by date,
case history, source, etc), and analysis requested.
SUGGESTED SHIPPING
CATEGORY:
Category B Infectious Substance - Refer to Sample Submission
Page for packaging, labeling, and shipping instructions for
Category B Infectious Substances and follow all guidelines, except the step for adding ice
packs.
Testing Fee
$20.00 - Submit
sample for this test
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Customers sending samples/specimens to Roesink Microbiology
Laboratories, LLC, are expected to comply with all applicable
regulations governing packaging and labeling of Division 6.2
Materials. Shippers are responsible for
proper packaging, marking and labeling, documentation,
classification, and identification of each shipment. Failure
to follow regulations can result in substantial financial
penalties and/or jail; consequently, RML highly suggests that
anyone sending Division 6.2 Materials (Infectious Substances)
to our laboratory review and familiarize themselves with the
current rules and regulations governing packaging and labeling
of these materials. Links to these regulations can be found to
the right and under the sample submission toolbar.
RML offers
shipping & packaging materials to clients and customers upon
request.
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Helpful website links and downloads for further information on
government rules and regulations:
1.
Informative
brochure for Transporting Infectious Substances Safely (Highly
recommended):
Infectious Subs. brochure.qxp
2.
Government Printing Office Website Link to Electronic Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) Titles 1 through 50.
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=%2Findex.tpl
3.
Government Printing Office Website Link to Electronic
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180)
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=585c275ee19254ba07625d8c92fe925f&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title49/49cfrv2
02.tpl
4.
Shippers Responsibility:
�173.22
5. Class 6,
Division 6.2 (Infectious substances)--Definitions and
exceptions:
�173.134
6.
Training and Outreach Publications Module:
How to Use the HMR
7.
Website Link to PHMSA's Electronic Publications.
https://hazmatonline.phmsa.dot.gov/services/pub_default.aspx
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