Culture, Sputum

Test Code

8423

CPT Codes
87070-Culture; 87205-Gram stain

Includes

Includes a Gram stain.

Preferred Specimen

Container/Tube: Sterile container(s)-Saliva is not acceptable.
Specimen Volume: 1 mL of discharged material
Collection Instructions: Aseptically collect a first-morning specimen as follows:
     1. Specimen should be a single, first-morning, “deep-cough” sputum specimen. Patient should not have eaten prior to collection.
     2. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water.
     3. Have patient remove dentures.
     4. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, and cough deeply and vigorously into a tightly-sealing, sterile container.
     5. Label container with patient’s name (first and last) and date and actual time of collection.

Note: Specimen source is required.

Transport Temperature

Ambient

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

Saliva is not acceptable.

Setup Schedule

Monday through Sunday

Reference Range

Normal respiratory flora

Clinical Significance

Useful for isolating and identifying pathogenic bacteria causing infectious processes of the lower respiratory tract.

Performed By
CoxHealth

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.