Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), Culture

Test Code

37129

CPT Codes
87081

Includes

If culture is positive, then identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87077 or 87140 or 87147 or 87149).

Preferred Specimen

1 gram stool collected in Amies liquid transport swab, Amies gel transport swab, Amies liquid elution swab (ESwab), or equivalent

Minimum Volume

1 gram

Instructions

Collect in a clean, dry container and then transfer a minimum of 1 gram or 1 mL into an Amies liquid transport swab, Amies gel transport swab, Amies liquid elution swab (ESwab), or equivalent.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

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

Unpreserved stool • Frozen specimens • Stool specimens preserved in transport media not listed as acceptable

Methodology
Bacteriologic Culture, Aerobic

Special isolation procedure on selective and differential chromogenic medium, containing 6 mcg/mL of vancomycin. Identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing are not included.

Setup Schedule

A.M. Sets up 7 days a week.

Clinical Significance

The VRE culture screen permits rapid detection of those patients who are infected or colonized with VRE.

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.