IV Catheter Tip Culture

Test Code
78352


CPT Codes
87070

Preferred Specimen
Abscess/wound specimen, submitted on culture transport swab, safely contained


Other Acceptable Specimens
Intravenous catheter tip, submitted in sterile, leak-proof container


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

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. Refrigerated stability is suboptimal. Refer to qualified personnel for determination of acceptability.

IV Cath TIP:
Collection Instructions for Intravenous Catheter Tips: A short distal segment (approximately 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 before 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 (all shifts); Report available: 4 days


Reference Range
Not applicable




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.