Prosthetic Joint Culture

Test Code
78355


CPT Codes
87070<br /> Restricted Client Code

Includes
If positive, an identification and sensitivity will be performed at an additional charge.

Please note: Anaerobes will not be cultured routinely from these sites. Order Test Code 465 for Anaerobic Culture.


Preferred Specimen
Abscess/Wound Specimen, submitted in Culture Transport Swab


Other Acceptable Specimens
Intravenous Catheter Tip, submitted in a Sterile, leak-proof Container


Instructions
Please specify on the request form the culture site and pertinent history.

Specimen Requirements/transport: Tissue or aspirated fluid is superior to a swab specimen. Aspirate if possible, or pass a swab deep into the lesion and firmly sample the advancing edge of the lesion. Use transport medium for swab.
Transport at room temperature to the laboratory.
Refrigeration stability is sub optimal. Refer to qualified personnel for determination of acceptability.

IV Cath TIP:
Collection Instructions for Intravenous Catheter Tips: A short distal segment (~2 inches or 5 cm) including the area beneath the skin is aseptically cut off and sent in a sterile container (room temperature or refrigerated) to the Microbiology Laboratory for culture.

If possible, collect prior to antibiotic therapy. Other catheters such as Foley (urine) catheters are unacceptable. Catheter tips which arrive in saline or transport medium are unacceptable.

Skin swabs from catheter site are unacceptable.


Transport Temperature
Room temperature


Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable


Methodology
Culture

Setup Schedule
Set up: Daily; Report available: 8 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.