Stool Culture

Message
SRHC Clients:
For optimal recovery of enteric pathogens, up to 3 specimens may be submitted for routine culture collected on consecutive days    
 Note:  indicate if specific pathogens other than Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter or E coli O157 are suspected (i.e Yersinia, Vibrio..)

Inpatients:
Transport to SRH lab room temperature in less than 2 hours or refrigerated in less than 4 hours.
Do not send this specimen through the translogic system.
Ordering Note: 
For best practice, do not perform stool cultures on patients whose length of stay in the hospital exceeds 3 days and whose admitting diagnosis was not diarrhea; these patients should be tested for C difficile

Outpatients:
*NOTE:  If unable to transport the specimen to the SRH Lab within 4 hrs refrigerated - the stool for culture must be in the Para-Pak C&S (orange top) container.


Test Code
STLC


Alias/See Also
Fecal Culture for Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, E coli 0157
Feces Culture for pathogens


CPT Codes
87045--as indicated 87899x2,87077,87186,87046

Includes
Culture: Screens for Salmonella,Shigella,Campylobacter and E coli 0157
Shiga Toxins EIA: All non sorbitol fermenter(NSF) isolates will reflex to screen for Shiga Toxins 1 and 2, with additional charges
Identifications and Sensitivities, as indicated with additional charges.
 


Transport Container
Stool in clean container. Rectal swab acceptable for small children/infants


Specimen Stability

Room Temp: 2 hours
Refrigerated: 4 hour
Para-pak C&S(orange top) preservative--4 days--**see note




Methodology
Culture

Setup Schedule
24/7


Report Available
48-72 hours




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.