Eye Culture

Test Name	Eye Culture
Alternate Name(s)	Conjunctival culture
Laboratory Module	Microbiology
Ordering Mnemonic	EYE
Specimen Type	A swab of the eye or eye drainage area that is of concern. Conjunctiva/ Drainage Eye For cornea scraping specimens please order "Tissue culture" For Intra-Ocular / Vitreous Fluid - Order "Fluid culture" For investigation of N.gonorrhoeae - Order "Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture".
Collection Container	Amies Transport Media
Container Information	Amies Transport Media
Collection Information	Conjunctival Swab/ Drainage Swab the inside surface of the eyelid and the fornix of the eye. Place in transport media.
Test Schedule	Daily
Routine Turnaround Time	Preliminary: 24 hours Final: 72 hours
Stat Turnaround Time	Preliminary: 24 hours Final: 72 hours
Critical Values	As growth is detected and identified the information is made available to the health care provider.
Lab Process Notes
Storage and Transport	The swab should be maintained at room temperature until transport to the lab. Once in the lab the specimen will be stored at room temperature in the microbiology rack.
Test Referred To	On site, BGH laboratory

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