Body Fluid Culture

Test Code

LAB269

Alias/See Also

CXFLD

CPT Codes
87070

Includes

Culture; isolation; identification of aerobic microorganisms. Susceptibility testing on all significant aerobic isolates. Gram smear.

Preferred Specimen

Always submit as much fluid as possible, never submit a swab dipped in fluid

Patient Preparation
Disinfect overlying skin with 2% iodine tincture or chlorohexidine. Obtain specimen via percutaneous needle aspiration or surgery.

Instructions

Body fluid in sterile container, in yellow top (SPS) Vacutainer, capped syringe (needle removed), dialysate bag, or Anatrans tube Note: Body fluids inoculated in blood culture bottles will be accepted for testing. No gram stain will be included if we only receive innoculated bottles. Some organisms may not grow in only this media.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature; TRANSPORT IMMEDIATELY (<15 minutes)

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unlabeled specimen; failure to follow proper collection and storage procedures; exceeds time requirements.

Methodology
Culture

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

5 days

Reference Range

No growth in 5 days

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.