Body Fluid Culture, Sterile, Routine

CPT: 87070
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Synonyms

  • Culture, Body Fluid, Sterile, Routine
  • Sterile Body Fluid Culture

Test Includes

Culture; isolation and identification of potential aerobic pathogens (additional charges/CPT code[s] may apply). Susceptibility testing if culture results warrant (at an additional charge). Gram Stain [008540] is recommended with all body fluid cultures (additional charge). CPT coding for microbiology and virology procedures often cannot be determined before the culture is performed. Requests with only a written order and no test number indicated will be processed according to Default Testing for Routine Microbiology.


Special Instructions

Indicate the specific source and pertinent clinical history on the request form. Do not use expired transport device.


Expected Turnaround Time

4 - 5 days



Related Documents

For more information, please view the literature below.

Microbiology Specimen Collection and Transport Guide


Specimen Requirements


Specimen

Aseptically aspirated body fluid (eg, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial, peritoneal fluid). Do not submit syringes with needles attached. Swabs without visible fluid are not acceptable for Body Fluid Culture.


Minimum Volume

2 mL


Container

Sterile tube or other sterile leakproof container, blood culture bottle, Vacutainer™ Plus no Additive tube, sodium heparin tube, and swabs with visible fluid; do not use red-top Vacutainer™ tubes.


Collection

Contamination with normal flora from skin, rectum, vaginal tract, or other body surfaces should be avoided. If anaerobes are suspected, order Anaerobic Culture [008904].


Storage Instructions

Maintain specimen at room temperature.


Patient Preparation

Swab skin over the site of puncture with 2% tincture of iodine in concentric circles. Note: Iodine should remain in contact with skin for at least one minute prior to puncture to ensure complete antisepsis. Following puncture, 70% alcohol is used to remove iodine from skin.


Causes for Rejection

Improper labeling; red-top Vacutainer™ tubes; swabs without visible fluid


Test Details


Use

Isolate and identify pathogenic organisms from normally sterile body fluids


Methodology

Culture


LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
180802 Body Fluid Culture, Sterile 611-4 180802 Body Fluid Culture, Sterile 611-4
Reflex Table for Body Fluid Culture, Sterile
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 080186 Result 080187 Result 1 611-4
Reflex Table for Body Fluid Culture, Sterile
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 080186 Result 080188 Result 2 611-4
Reflex Table for Body Fluid Culture, Sterile
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 080186 Result 080189 Result 3 611-4
Reflex Table for Body Fluid Culture, Sterile
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 080186 Result 080190 Result 4 611-4
Reflex Table for Body Fluid Culture, Sterile
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 080186 Result 080191 Antimicrobial Susceptibility 23658-8

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