| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Strep Screen
Test Code1144
CPT Codes
87081-Culture; 87880-Screen
Preferred Specimen
Container/Tube: Culture transport container
Specimen Volume: 2 culture swabs
Note: Specimen source is required.
Instructions
1. Remove cap and swab from container.
2. Tilt patient’s head back to assist in opening of mouth as wide as possible.
3. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab doesn’t touch tongue.
4. If patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well.
5. In 1 continuous motion: A. Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down. B. Move to back of throat as far down as possible and swab there. C. Move to other tonsillar area and swab. D. Swab behind uvula and remove swab.
6. Replace swab in sterile culture transport container.
7. Crush ampule to ensure specimen preservation.
8. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection.
2. Tilt patient’s head back to assist in opening of mouth as wide as possible.
3. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab doesn’t touch tongue.
4. If patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well.
5. In 1 continuous motion: A. Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down. B. Move to back of throat as far down as possible and swab there. C. Move to other tonsillar area and swab. D. Swab behind uvula and remove swab.
6. Replace swab in sterile culture transport container.
7. Crush ampule to ensure specimen preservation.
8. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection.
Transport Temperature
Ambient
Methodology
Includes culture.
Setup Schedule
Monday through Sunday
Reference Range
Negative (reported as positive or negative)
Clinical Significance
Useful for establishing presence of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci.
This screen will not identify and isolate other causative agents of pharyngitis. Adequate specimen collection on younger patients may be difficult and thus contribute to the false-negative rate. A positive result can be relied upon as a rational basis to begin therapy. A negative result is only presumptive, and a culture will be performed to reasonably exclude the diagnosis of group A streptococcal infection.
This screen will not identify and isolate other causative agents of pharyngitis. Adequate specimen collection on younger patients may be difficult and thus contribute to the false-negative rate. A positive result can be relied upon as a rational basis to begin therapy. A negative result is only presumptive, and a culture will be performed to reasonably exclude the diagnosis of group A streptococcal infection.
Performed By
CoxHealth
