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HelpTest Code Billings Clinic: 6612 Culture, Catheter Tip
Performing Laboratory
Billings Clinic LaboratoryMethodology
Reflex Information:This test may automatically reflex to other tests. An additional fee may be added. The ordering physician/provider must indicate if the reflex test is NOT DESIRED. Indicate on order if no reflex test is desired.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen must arrive as soon as possible to prevent drying. Call Billings Clinic Laboratory at 866-232-2522 to discuss the best specimen transport.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Acceptable Intravenous Catheter Tips:
Arterial, central venous pressure, dialysis, intravenous, or Swan-Ganz®
Unacceptable Catheter Tips:
Urinary catheter
Collect as follows:
1. Cleanse skin around catheter with 70% alcohol. Allow to dry.
2. Aseptically remove catheter being careful to avoid contamination with normal flora from skin or other body surfaces.
3. Clip 5 cm to 10 cm of distal tip of catheter directly into a screw-capped, sterile container.
4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only. Do not refrigerate.
Note: Type of catheter tip is required on request form for processing.
Reference Values
<15 colonies per plate (probable contamination)>15 colonies per plate (indicates infection)
Automatic call-back: positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through SundayTest Classification and CPT Coding
CPT Code:87076 - definitive identification, anaerobic; each isolate
87077 - definitive identification, aerobic; each isolate
87186 - MIC; each isolate
87070 - isolation and presumptive identification of isolates (anaerobic culture if appropriate)
Microbiology Coding:
Proper coding for MICROBIOLOGY tests depends on what procedures are actually performed which may depend on the organism(s) isolated. When a culture is initially set up, organism(s) may be isolated and a presumptive identification takes place. When/if an organism(s) grows, a definitive identification and possible MIC of each organism may be indicated.