CULTURE, BACTERIA, LOWER RESPIRATORY w/ GRAM STAIN

Additional Codes

Software	Test Code
Label Text	LRCUL
EPIC	LAB900

Performing Laboratory

NorDx Laboratories

Useful For

Aiding in the diagnosis of lower respiratory bacterial infections including pneumonia

Significant isolates reflex to organism identification and antibiotic susceptibility test. Additional charges apply.

Method Name

Conventional Culture

Reference Values

Not applicable

Days and Times Test Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

4 Days

Specimen Type

Submit one of the following:

~ Aspirate, tracheal

~ Sputum

~Bronchoalveolar lavage & brush

Preferred Container

Screw-Capped Sterile Vial

Preferred Volume

Sputum: 10 mL (Screw-Capped Sterile Vial)

Minimum Volume

Sputum: 5 mL (Screw-Capped Sterile Vial)

Specimen Collection and Handling

Submit only one of the following:

EXPECTORATED SPUTUM:

Collect an early morning specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container as follows:

1. For patients with dentures, instruct patient to remove dentures.

2. Instruct patient to rinse mouth thoroughly with water.

3. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, cough deeply and vigorously into container and collect 5-10 mL of sputum if possible.

4. Ensure the container is labeled with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth or medical record number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials and SPECIMEN SOURCE.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. If transport is delayed, refrigerate at 2-8C until transport.

6. Transport to lab at room temperature.

INDUCED SPUTUM, BRONCHOSCOPY OR TRACHEAL ASPIRATE:

1. Use standard medical procedures to aseptically collect specimen from lower respiratory tract.

2. Submit specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth or medical record number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials and SPECIMEN SOURCE (REQUIRED FOR PROCESSING).

4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. If transport is delayed, refrigerate at 2-8C until transport.

5. Transport to lab at room temperature.

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type: Aspirate, Sputum, BAL
Room Temperature: 24 hours

If testing is delayed, please refrigerate at 2 - 8^o C

Note: Maximum Stability: 48 hours

Add On Capable

Yes

Advance Beneficiary Notice Requirements

No ABN Required

CPT Code Information

CPT Code	CPT Description	CPT Disclaimer
87070	Culture, Bacterial, Any Other Source Except Urine, Blood, Stool, Aerobic with Isolation and Presumptive Identification of Isolates
87077	Culture, Bacterial, Aerobic Isolate, Additional Methods Required for Definitive Identification, Each Isolate	if Indicated
87149 x5	Culture, Identification by Nucleic Acid (DNA or RNA) Probe, Direct Probe Technique, Per Culture or Isolate, Each Organism Probed	if Indicated
87181 x5	Susceptibility Studies, Antimicrobial Agent, Agar Dilution Method, per Agent (eg: Antiniotic Gradient Strip)	if Indicated
87185	Susceptibility Studies, Antimicrobial Agent; Enzyme Detection (eg, Beta Lactamase), per Enzyme	if Indicated
87186	Susceptibility Studies, Microdilution or Agar Dilution (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC] or Breakpoint), Each Multimicrobial, Per Plate	if Indicated
87205	Smear, Primary Source with Interpretation, Gram or Geimsa Stain for Bacteria, Fungi, or Cell Types

Performing Laboratory Location