Stool Culture

Test Code

LAB123223 1230100129

Alias/See Also

CULTURE
STOOL CX

CPT Codes
87045

Includes

STOOL CULTURE

Preferred Specimen

Stool

Minimum Volume

Instructions

Collect stool specimen in sterile container

Transport Container

STERILE CONTAINER

Collection of stool specimens should be during the acute or diarrheal stage of intestinal infection. Patient should pass stool in sterile pan, without urine or toilet paper touching the specimen. Toilet paper may contain barium salts, which are inhibitors to some fecal pathogens.

 Sterile Container - Specimens not in Para-Pak/Cary-Blair transport medium must be placed in a sterile collection container, refrigerated, and sent to the Laboratory immediately.

 Para-Pak/Cary-Blair: Random stool specimen, place in a container with Para-Pak/Cary-Blair transport medium – fill up to the line on the vial. The fecal sample must be placed in appropriate preservative within 2 hours of collection.

Rectal swab: Only acceptable for pediatric patients. Sterile swab should be inserted about 1 inch past the anal sphincter to collect the specimen.

Preferred/Acceptable Source

Stool

Stool, liquid

Stool, soft

Stool, formed

Acceptable Containers:

-Fresh stool in sterile screw-top container

-Fresh stool in Para-Pak C&S

-Fresh stool in Cary Blair

Transport Temperature

Room Temperature

Specimen Stability

Specimen can be refrigerated

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

Unacceptable Source

Source other than stool

Unacceptable collection

 Specimen received in non-sterile container or unapproved container

 Specimens that have been preserved in 10% formalin, Merthiolate Formalin, Sodium Acetate Formalin, Polyvinyl Alcohol, or other fixatives cannot be used.

 Stool containing barium.

 Stool specimen contaminated with urine.

 Stool specimen contaminated with toilet paper.

 Stool specimen from a bedpan.

 Leaking specimen.

 Unlabeled or Mislabeled specimen.

 Specimen received outside stability time frame.

 Improper/incomplete identification (no patient name, MR# or DOB, or without patient label) on specimen.

Performing Laboratory
MWH LAB

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.