Endotracheal Tube (ETT) Suction Culture-Provincial
Discipline
Microbiology
Overview
Description
- ETT suction culture is used to isolate potential respiratory pathogens, from patients with tracheostomies and endotracheal tubes, and can be useful in the diagnosis of respiratory tract infection.
Ordering Recommendations
- Specimens may be collected from patients with signs and symptoms of respiratory tract infection.
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Endotracheal tube suction specimen
Specimen collection container
- Sterile Screw Capped Container
Collection procedure
- Collect sputum samples from patients with tracheostomies and endotracheal tubes using a suction device and a sterile sputum trap.
Transport and stability
Transport at room temperature, as soon as possible. If delay is anticipated, keep specimen at 4°C.
Testing Information
Relevant clinical history
Patient History
- Underlying diagnosis and history of past/current antimicrobial therapy
Performance
Methodology
- Gram stain and culture for aerobic bacteria and yeast is performed routinely.
Days/times performed
- Specimens will be cultured at the nearest microbiology laboratory.
Maximum laboratory time
Cultures are incubated for 48 hours.
Reports of no growth are sent at 24 and 48 hours, if applicable.
Identification and susceptibility results are usually available 24 – 48 hours after an organism is isolated.
Specimen retention time
- Specimens retained for 7 days after culturing.
Last Updated: November 14, 2025