CATHETER TIP CULTURE

Test Code

LAB224

Includes

Quantitative bacterial culture. Catheter tip cultures will be interpreted and reported in conjunction with blood cultures. Gram stains are not performed on catheter tips. Intravenous catheter tips are cultured for bacteria to determine contaminated lines and their association with catheter related sepsis (CRS).

Preferred Specimen

Catheter tip in sterile leak-proof container

Instructions

Catheter tips must be accompanied by blood cultures collected within 24 hours. Deliver to Microbiology lab as quickly as possible to avoid desiccation. For outlying clients or when delayed transport is anticipated, place catheter tip in a sterile, screw-capped tube (10-50mL) along with sterile gauze lightly moistened with sterile saline.

Transport Temperature

Ambient

Specimen Stability

Unstable at ambient temperature,deliver to lab immediately

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

Non-intravascular catheter tips (e.g. Foley endotracheal, VP shunt, drains, etc.)

Methodology
Culture

Setup Schedule

Sunday-Saturday

Reference Range

No growth in three days.

Performing Laboratory
West Virginia University Hospital, Inc.
Berkeley Medical Center
Camden Clark Medical Center
Jackson General Hospital
Jefferson Medical Center
Princeton Community Hospital
Reynolds Memorial Hospital
Summersville Regional Medical Center
United Hospital Center
Uniontown Hospital
Wheeling Hospital

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.