A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Culture, Streptococcus (Strep) Screen

Test Code
C STR - MM MMC


CPT Codes
87081, 87147 (if appropriate)

Preferred Specimen
Throat swab using eSwab transport system.


Instructions
  • Avoid antibiotic administration prior to obtaining specimen.
  • Collect specimen using a eSwab transport system.
    • Remove cap and swab from tube.
    • Tilt the patient’s head back to assist in opening of the mouth as wide as possible.
    • Depress the tongue with a tongue depressor so the swab doesn’t touch the tongue.
    • If the patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well.
    • In 1 continuous motion:
      • Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down.
      • Move to the back of the throat as far down as possible and swab there.
      • Move to the other tonsillar area and swab.
      • Swab behind the uvula and remove the swab.
    • Return swab to the included sterile tube.
  • Label each container with two patient identifiers (full name, DOB or MR), date and time of collection.
  • Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
 Microbiology Specimen Collection Guide


Specimen Stability
Specimen Type Temperature Time
eSwab Ambient/Refrigerated 48 hours


Methodology
Conventional Culture Media
Note: Every organism identified by a commercial kit must be billed for bacterial identification. If C or G beta strep is isolated, the following comment will be appended: Although Group A beta strept are the most frequent strept isolated from throat cultures, beta-hemolytic group C and G are also known to be causative agents of exudative pharyngitis. Clinical correlation before initiating antibiotic therapy recommended.

Setup Schedule
Monday through Sunday; Continuously


Report Available
2 - 3 days


Reference Range
No Goup A beta hemolytic Streptococci isolated at 2 days. No Group C or G Streptococci or Arcanobacterium isolated in predominant quantity.


Clinical Significance
Recovery of group A streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) from a symptomatic patient is usually considered significant. S. pyogenes is uniformly susceptible to penicillin, therefore susceptibility testing for this antimicrobial is not indicated.


Performing Laboratory
McKee Medical Center - Microbiology/Molecular Laboratory



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.