Test Details
Mnemonic
FNST
Ordering Code
3700031
CPT-4 Code(s)
87206 (Sputum, Tissue, Fluid), or 87220 (Skin, Hair, Nails)
Specimen Information
Collect
Skin, hair, nails, fluid, bronchial lavage or sputum
Specimen Preparation
Send in sterile leak proof container. Other sources may be sent in Amies gel or liquid transport system.
Alternate Specimen
Air dried smears other than stool sent in a slide holder transport system
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Rejection Criteria
Smears fixed with cytology fixative, excessively bloody samples, DNA probe transport device, viral
transport medium, stool, broken slides, corneal rim, bone, catheter tips, smears to thick to read,
slides previously stained by cytology and cover slipped.
transport medium, stool, broken slides, corneal rim, bone, catheter tips, smears to thick to read,
slides previously stained by cytology and cover slipped.
Stability
Skin, hair, nails
Room temperature: 14 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Swabs, smears
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Fluid, BAL, sputum
Room temperature: Not acceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Room temperature: 14 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Swabs, smears
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Fluid, BAL, sputum
Room temperature: Not acceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Methodology
Microscopic exam, Calcofluor White Stain, Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)
Reference Range
See report
Performing Laboratory
Quest SJC
New York DOH Approval Status
Yes