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Test Code LAB0298968 Culture, Catheter Tip

Methodology

Maki Semi-Quantitative roll-tip method

 

Performing Laboratory

CentraCare Laboratory Services

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Catheter tip

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 2 inch segment

Collection Instructions:

1. Before removing the catheter, cleanse the skin around insertion site with 70% alcohol to reduce contaminating skin flora and remove any residual antimicrobial ointment. Allow to dry.

2. Aseptically remove catheter and clip 2 inches of the distal tip of the catheter directly into a sterile container.

3. Label container with patient's name, medical record number, date and time of collection, and type of specimen.

4. Transport directly to the Microbiology Laboratory to prevent drying.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient (Transport within 15 minutes). Refrigerate when transportation is delayed.

Sample rejection:

1. Transit time exceeding 1 hour after collection.

2. Foley catheter tips; chest tube tips; abdominal drainage tips; specimen not submitted in appropriate transport container; improperly labeled specimen.

3. If an unacceptable specimen is received, the physician or patient's nurse will be notified, and another specimen will be requested before the specimen is discarded.

Reference Values

<15 colonies per plate

 

 

 

 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87070

The following testing may be added if appropriate based on findings for organism identification (multiple additions if more than one organism is identified) and to aid in patient treatment management.

87077  - Aerobic isolate, additional methods required for definitive identification, each isolate (if appropriate) MALDI-TOF

87106 - Culture, fungi, definitive identification, each organism, yeast (if appropriate)

87107 - Culture, mold, definitive identification, each organism, mold  (if appropriate)

87147 - Culture, typing; immunologic method, other than immunofluorescence (e.g., agglutination grouping), per antiserum (if appropriate)

87184 - Susceptibility studies, disk method, per plate (if appropriate)

87185 - Enzyme detection (e.g.beta lactamase), per enzyme (if appropriate)

87186 - Susceptibility studies, microdilution or agar dilution, each multi-antimicrobial, per plate (if appropriate).