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Test Code Billings Clinic: 6729 Culture, Biopsy/Tissue, Acid-Fast Bacillus (AFB) and Smear

Performing Laboratory

Montana Public Health Laboratory, Helena, Montana

Methodology

Broth Media/Instrumentation

Specimen Requirements

  1. Aseptically collect 1 g of tissue and place in a screw-capped, sterile vial.
  2. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
  3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.  If there is a delay in transport of ≥1 hour, send specimen refrigerated.
  4. Biopsy site/specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Reject Due To

  • Specimen cannot be frozen.
  • Do not allow tissue to dry out.

Reference Values

Negative (reported as positive or negative)
Automatic call-back:  any positive

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Saturday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

CPT Code:

87015 - Concentration (any type), for infectious agents

87116 - Culture, tubercle or other acid-fast bacilli (eg, TB, AFB, mycobacteria) any source, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates
87206 - Smear, primary source with interpretation; fluorescent and/or acid fast stain for bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses or cell types

87550 - Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Mycobacteria species, direct probe technique (if appropriate)

87555 - Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Mycobacteria tuberculosis, direct probe technique (if appropriate)

87560 - Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Mycobacteria avium-intracellulare, direct probe technique (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.

Profile/Testing Information

Includes AFB smear

 

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