How do I know if my sputum culture is getting extensively checked?

[LouLou]

I am curious are all sputum culture tests the same?

Do I need to request that they look for all the bugs or is it automatic?

I want to make sure they are looking for the heavy hitters - b.cepacia, MRSA, MAC, etc. - not just pseudomonas well before I'm showing signs that something isn't right. I hate the wait and see approach. I want to minimize surprises.

How can I be sure my sputum is being extensively tested? I recall something about it taking a week or more for some stuff to grow. Are there specific labs the sputum should be going to like our Vitamin levels seem to go to Mayo Clinic?

 

[LouLou]

I am curious are all sputum culture tests the same?

Do I need to request that they look for all the bugs or is it automatic?

I want to make sure they are looking for the heavy hitters - b.cepacia, MRSA, MAC, etc. - not just pseudomonas well before I'm showing signs that something isn't right. I hate the wait and see approach. I want to minimize surprises.

How can I be sure my sputum is being extensively tested? I recall something about it taking a week or more for some stuff to grow. Are there specific labs the sputum should be going to like our Vitamin levels seem to go to Mayo Clinic?

 

[LouLou]

I am curious are all sputum culture tests the same?

Do I need to request that they look for all the bugs or is it automatic?

I want to make sure they are looking for the heavy hitters - b.cepacia, MRSA, MAC, etc. - not just pseudomonas well before I'm showing signs that something isn't right. I hate the wait and see approach. I want to minimize surprises.

How can I be sure my sputum is being extensively tested? I recall something about it taking a week or more for some stuff to grow. Are there specific labs the sputum should be going to like our Vitamin levels seem to go to Mayo Clinic?

 

[LouLou]

I am curious are all sputum culture tests the same?

Do I need to request that they look for all the bugs or is it automatic?

I want to make sure they are looking for the heavy hitters - b.cepacia, MRSA, MAC, etc. - not just pseudomonas well before I'm showing signs that something isn't right. I hate the wait and see approach. I want to minimize surprises.

How can I be sure my sputum is being extensively tested? I recall something about it taking a week or more for some stuff to grow. Are there specific labs the sputum should be going to like our Vitamin levels seem to go to Mayo Clinic?

 

[LouLou]

I am curious are all sputum culture tests the same?

Do I need to request that they look for all the bugs or is it automatic?

I want to make sure they are looking for the heavy hitters - b.cepacia, MRSA, MAC, etc. - not just pseudomonas well before I'm showing signs that something isn't right. I hate the wait and see approach. I want to minimize surprises.

How can I be sure my sputum is being extensively tested? I recall something about it taking a week or more for some stuff to grow. Are there specific labs the sputum should be going to like our Vitamin levels seem to go to Mayo Clinic?

 

[LouLou]

I am curious are all sputum culture tests the same?

Do I need to request that they look for all the bugs or is it automatic?

I want to make sure they are looking for the heavy hitters - b.cepacia, MRSA, MAC, etc. - not just pseudomonas well before I'm showing signs that something isn't right. I hate the wait and see approach. I want to minimize surprises.

How can I be sure my sputum is being extensively tested? I recall something about it taking a week or more for some stuff to grow. Are there specific labs the sputum should be going to like our Vitamin levels seem to go to Mayo Clinic?

 

[NoExcuses]

My clinic went to visit a Top 5 CF center.

They were shocked to find out that the clinic wasn't even doing sensitivity testing. They were just giving Cipro to everyone no matter what.

So although I don't know the exact answer to your question, there are certain variabilities in testing, even at the very effective centers.

 

[NoExcuses]

My clinic went to visit a Top 5 CF center.

They were shocked to find out that the clinic wasn't even doing sensitivity testing. They were just giving Cipro to everyone no matter what.

So although I don't know the exact answer to your question, there are certain variabilities in testing, even at the very effective centers.

 

[NoExcuses]

My clinic went to visit a Top 5 CF center.

They were shocked to find out that the clinic wasn't even doing sensitivity testing. They were just giving Cipro to everyone no matter what.

So although I don't know the exact answer to your question, there are certain variabilities in testing, even at the very effective centers.

 

[NoExcuses]

My clinic went to visit a Top 5 CF center.

They were shocked to find out that the clinic wasn't even doing sensitivity testing. They were just giving Cipro to everyone no matter what.

So although I don't know the exact answer to your question, there are certain variabilities in testing, even at the very effective centers.

 

[NoExcuses]

My clinic went to visit a Top 5 CF center.

They were shocked to find out that the clinic wasn't even doing sensitivity testing. They were just giving Cipro to everyone no matter what.

So although I don't know the exact answer to your question, there are certain variabilities in testing, even at the very effective centers.

 

[NoExcuses]

My clinic went to visit a Top 5 CF center.

They were shocked to find out that the clinic wasn't even doing sensitivity testing. They were just giving Cipro to everyone no matter what.

So although I don't know the exact answer to your question, there are certain variabilities in testing, even at the very effective centers.

 

[JazzysMom]

The form for the lab that goes with the culture has things that must be marked. Chances are probably good that for regular checkups they only mark what you usually culture & the sensitivity to meds for those. The only way you know for sure is to ask the doctor what they normally test for (they are the ones that mark the lab form) and request whatever they dont that you want. All my labs (sputum, blood, urine etc) no matter what its tested for (except genetic testing) goes right thru the lab where my CF clinic is. Some results come back quicker then others because of having to grow things etc as you said.

 

[JazzysMom]

The form for the lab that goes with the culture has things that must be marked. Chances are probably good that for regular checkups they only mark what you usually culture & the sensitivity to meds for those. The only way you know for sure is to ask the doctor what they normally test for (they are the ones that mark the lab form) and request whatever they dont that you want. All my labs (sputum, blood, urine etc) no matter what its tested for (except genetic testing) goes right thru the lab where my CF clinic is. Some results come back quicker then others because of having to grow things etc as you said.

 

[JazzysMom]

The form for the lab that goes with the culture has things that must be marked. Chances are probably good that for regular checkups they only mark what you usually culture & the sensitivity to meds for those. The only way you know for sure is to ask the doctor what they normally test for (they are the ones that mark the lab form) and request whatever they dont that you want. All my labs (sputum, blood, urine etc) no matter what its tested for (except genetic testing) goes right thru the lab where my CF clinic is. Some results come back quicker then others because of having to grow things etc as you said.

 

[JazzysMom]

The form for the lab that goes with the culture has things that must be marked. Chances are probably good that for regular checkups they only mark what you usually culture & the sensitivity to meds for those. The only way you know for sure is to ask the doctor what they normally test for (they are the ones that mark the lab form) and request whatever they dont that you want. All my labs (sputum, blood, urine etc) no matter what its tested for (except genetic testing) goes right thru the lab where my CF clinic is. Some results come back quicker then others because of having to grow things etc as you said.

 

[JazzysMom]

The form for the lab that goes with the culture has things that must be marked. Chances are probably good that for regular checkups they only mark what you usually culture & the sensitivity to meds for those. The only way you know for sure is to ask the doctor what they normally test for (they are the ones that mark the lab form) and request whatever they dont that you want. All my labs (sputum, blood, urine etc) no matter what its tested for (except genetic testing) goes right thru the lab where my CF clinic is. Some results come back quicker then others because of having to grow things etc as you said.

 

[JazzysMom]

The form for the lab that goes with the culture has things that must be marked. Chances are probably good that for regular checkups they only mark what you usually culture & the sensitivity to meds for those. The only way you know for sure is to ask the doctor what they normally test for (they are the ones that mark the lab form) and request whatever they dont that you want. All my labs (sputum, blood, urine etc) no matter what its tested for (except genetic testing) goes right thru the lab where my CF clinic is. Some results come back quicker then others because of having to grow things etc as you said.

 

[LouLou]

My lab results always note drug sensitivity level. That's amazing that some top clinics aren't doing it. We have to start demanding more. If you're reading this and you don't know what we are talking about put it on your list for your next clinic visit. You owe it to yourself or child.

I've looked at the lab order forms and they are pretty generic. So are you saying Melissa if it doesn't specifically say the bug names they aren't going to look for it? It sounds to me like this is something we all need to push back on our doctors for to ensure accurate testing. Standardized testing darnit. I want to be tested for everything, everytime...is that asking too much? I'm already only getting sputum cultures every 6 mo. or more often if sick (which never happens - I guess I must be doing something right) after my doctor made a comment about sputum cultures costing $1500....like I f'ing care - that's why I have insurance.

I love this site. This is exactly the type of thing I've gotten out of it. I never would have thought to question the analyzation of my sputum culture. I seem to now question everything about my care... and sadly things never measure up to my hopes and dreams at least not with timing. I seem to have a never ending list of To Do's regarding cf care.

If we all become *demanding* change will happen.

 

[LouLou]

My lab results always note drug sensitivity level. That's amazing that some top clinics aren't doing it. We have to start demanding more. If you're reading this and you don't know what we are talking about put it on your list for your next clinic visit. You owe it to yourself or child.

I've looked at the lab order forms and they are pretty generic. So are you saying Melissa if it doesn't specifically say the bug names they aren't going to look for it? It sounds to me like this is something we all need to push back on our doctors for to ensure accurate testing. Standardized testing darnit. I want to be tested for everything, everytime...is that asking too much? I'm already only getting sputum cultures every 6 mo. or more often if sick (which never happens - I guess I must be doing something right) after my doctor made a comment about sputum cultures costing $1500....like I f'ing care - that's why I have insurance.

I love this site. This is exactly the type of thing I've gotten out of it. I never would have thought to question the analyzation of my sputum culture. I seem to now question everything about my care... and sadly things never measure up to my hopes and dreams at least not with timing. I seem to have a never ending list of To Do's regarding cf care.

If we all become *demanding* change will happen.