Staphylococcus aureus Screen, Culture (STASCR)

Test Code

LAB2141

Quest Code

8801

CPT Codes
87081

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).

Preferred Specimen

Swab from any skin source: Submit in a red cap Amies liquid transport swab, blue cap Amies gel transport swab, ESwab (white-cap) or equivalent. Indicate source.

Note: Order code 90417 is suggested for screens for nasal colonization for MRSA.

Minimum Volume

1 transport swab

Transport Container

Transport swab

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Transport swab
Room temperature: 48 hours

Methodology
Conventional Isolation and Identification Techniques

Setup Schedule

Processed all shifts

Report Available

3 days

Clinical Significance

Primarily used to detect carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. Recovery of S. aureus from a site does not necessarily indicate infection. Screening allows identification of potential sources from which this organism can be transmitted to other individuals. Results will also indicate if the isolate is a methicillin resistant strain (MRSA).

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics - South Region

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.