| 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, Ear, External
Test Code4477
CPT Codes
87070
Includes
If culture is positive, identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87077 or 87140 or 87143 or 87147 or 87149).
Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87181 or 87184 or 87185 or 87186).
Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87181 or 87184 or 87185 or 87186).
Preferred Specimen
Collect specimen from external canal using an Amies liquid transport swab, Amies gel transport swab, Amies liquid elution swab ESwab™ or equivalent
Minimum Volume
One transport swab
Other Acceptable Specimens
Ear drainage collected using a transport swab
Instructions
Indicate source of specimen on both the requisition and specimen transport device. For culture of tympanocentesis fluid, see "Culture, Aerobic and Anaerobic".
Transport Container
Transport swab
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Dry swabs • Requests for anaerobic culture • Molecular transport systems • Specimens in formalin or other fixatives • Wooden-shafted, cotton-tipped swabs • Calcium alginate swabs
Methodology
Culture
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
2 days
Clinical Significance
The significance of any isolate(s), in pure or mixed culture, must be assessed with respect to the source cultured, the organism's pathogenic potential, the possibility of colonization versus infection, and the number of other organisms recovered from the same culture.
Performing Laboratory
| Quest Diagnostics-Seattle |
| 1737 Airport Way S Suite 200 |
| Seattle, WA 98134-1636 |
Last Updated: November 6, 2024
