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IV Catheter Culture
Test CodeLab224
CPT Codes
87070
Preferred Specimen
Venous and arterial catheters
Instructions
Venous and arterial catheters are removed from the patient, and if semi-quantitative culture is to be performed, 1 to 4 inches of the distal tip is aseptically cut and placed into a sterile cup or tube.
Unmoistened catheter tips dry quickly and may injure organisms; therefore, prompt transport to the laboratory is critical.
Unmoistened catheter tips dry quickly and may injure organisms; therefore, prompt transport to the laboratory is critical.
Transport Container
Sterile specimen container
Transport Temperature
Ambient
Specimen Stability
Ambient – 8 hours
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Urinary catheters will not be processed.
Methodology
Conventional culture techniques
Setup Schedule
Daily
Reference Range
No growth
Clinical Significance
Identification of aerobic organisms.
Performing Laboratory
Meritus Microbiology
