CULTURE, BLOOD

Message

Before the phlebotomy procedure, patients with a weight of = 60 lbs. (27 kg) must have a discard tube drawn prior to the collection of the blood culture bottles. The cap of the discard tube MUST be physically cleaned with an alcohol prep pad and allowed to dry prior to beginning the phlebotomy procedure.

Test Code

Alias/See Also

Blood Culture

CPT Codes
87040

Includes

Includes: Culture; Smear; Organism ID if Indicated; Sensitivity if Indicated

Preferred Specimen

BACTEC Blood Culture (aerobic/anaerobic)

Minimum Volume

3 mL per vial

Other Acceptable Specimens

SPS tube

Instructions

Gently mix blood and solution.

Specimen Stability

Blood culture bottles: room temperature up to 24 hours

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

Refrigerated samples will be rejected.
Blood and bone marrow are the only acceptable sample types. Any other sample type will be rejected.

Methodology
BACTEC Continuous Monitoring System

Setup Schedule

M, T, W, Th, F, Sa, Sun

Report Available

No growth (negative) culture will remain in process for 5 days with preliminary reports issued at 1 day and 2 days. If extended incubation is verbally requested, cultures may be held up to 4 weeks.

Positive cultures will be reported between 24-28 hours from initial set up and will be called as critical alerts.

Reference Range

No growth

Performed By
Alverno Laboratories

Performing Laboratory
Alverno Central Lab
NMIC (Microbiology)

Last Updated: September 21, 2023

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.