Test Code URCUL CULTURE, BACTERIA, URINE

Additional Codes

Software	Test Code
Label Text	URCUL
EPIC	LAB239

Performing Laboratory

NorDx Laboratories

Useful For

Diagnosing urinary tract infections

Significant isolates reflex to organism identification and antibiotic susceptibility test at an additional charge.

Method Name

Conventional Culture

Reference Values

Not applicable

Days and Times Test Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

3 Days

Specimen Type

Urine – Acceptable SOURCE TYPES:

Raw urine and urine w/preservative.

Preferred Container

Urine Culture Transport Tube

Sterile Cup

Preferred Volume

Urine: 2 mL (Urine Culture Transport Tube)

Specimen Collection and Handling

Submit only one of the following specimens:

CLEAN-CATCH, MIDSTREAM URINE, MALE:

1. Open the towelette packages, but do not remove towelettes until ready to use.

2. Remove the cover from the specimen container.

2. Do not touch the inside of the specimen container or lid at any time.

3. Place towelettes and container where they can be reached while urinating.

4. With one hand, pull back the foreskin (if present) until specimen collection is complete.

5. Wash the end of the penis with the first towelette and discard the towelette in the toilet.

6. Repeat with second towelette.

7. Start to urinate into the toilet.

8. After the first few teaspoons, put the specimen container into the stream of urine and collect as much urine as possible.

9. Fill the container 3/4 full if possible.

10. Screw the cover securely onto the specimen container.

11. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth or medical record number, date and time of collection, and collector’s initials.

12. Fill urine culture transport tube to the line (or more) with the specimen and label as stated above.

CLEAN-CATCH, MIDSTREAM URINE, FEMALE:

1. Open the towelette packages, but do not remove towelettes until ready to use.

2. Remove the cover from the specimen container.

3. Do not touch the inside of the specimen container or lid at any time.

4. Place towelettes and container where they can be reached while urinating.

5. With one hand, spread open the folds of skin around urethra and vagina and hold open until specimen collection is complete.

6. Clean the area around urethra and vagina by wiping the left side once from front to back with the first towelette. Discard the towelette in the toilet.

7. Clean the right side by wiping once from front to back with the second towelette. Discard the towelette.

8. Clean the center by wiping once from front to back with the third towelette. Discard the towelette.

9. Start to urinate into the toilet.

10. After the first few teaspoons, put the specimen container into the stream of urine and collect as much urine as possible.

11. Fill the container 3/4 full if possible.

12. Screw the cover securely onto the specimen container.

13. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth or medical record number, date and time of collection, and collector’s initials.

14. Fill urine culture transport tube to the line (or more) with the specimen and label as stated above.

INDWELLING CATHETER URINE:

1. Do not submit urine from catheter bag.

2. If necessary, clamp the catheter tubing to collect urine in the tube, but do not allow the clamp to remain for more than 30 minutes.

3. Clean the sampling port (or tubing site if a port is not available) with alcohol swabs.

4. Insert a syringe with 21 gauge needle into the tubing port and withdraw urine into the syringe.

5. Transfer the urine into a urine culture transport tube (fill at least to line).

6. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth or medical record number, date and time of collection, and collector’s initials.

STRAIGHT CATHETER or CYSTOSCOPY URINE:

1. Avoid contamination of the specimen during collection.

2. If there is sufficient volume of specimen, fill urine culture transport tube to the line (or more) with the specimen.

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

4. Alternative: If urine culture transport tube is not available or specimen volume is not sufficient to fill tube, place specimen in a sterile screw-capped specimen container properly labeled.

SPECIMEN SOURCE IS REQUIRED ON REQUEST FORM FOR PROCESSING.

Click here to view the Urine Aliquoting Guide for Processing

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type: Urine

Refrigerated: 24 Hours

Room Temp: 2 Hours

Note: Maximum stability limits for urine if transported in a preservative tube is 48 hours. MAXIMUM STABILITY FOR UNPRESERVED URINE (NO PRESERVATIVE) IS < 2 HRS ROOM TEMP OR 24 HOURS REFRIGERATED.

Frozen specimens are unacceptable and will require a recollect.

Add On Capable

Yes

Advance Beneficiary Notice Requirements

This test, when ordered on Medicare patients, is subject to the National Coverage Determination (NCD) policies. Please verify that the diagnosis code (ICD code) you have chosen demonstrates medical necessity for the test as documented in the physician’s patient record. The CMS web site is available to assist you with this verification. A properly executed Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) must be submitted with the specimen if medical necessity is not demonstrated by the ICD code chosen.

CPT Code Information

CPT Code	CPT Description	CPT Disclaimer
87077	Culture, Bacterial, Aerobic Isolate, Additional Methods Required for Definitive Identification, Each Isolate	if Indicated
87086	Culture, Bacterial, Quantitative Colony Count, Urine
87186	Susceptibility Studies, Microdilution or Agar Dilution (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC] or Breakpoint), Each Multimicrobial, Per Plate	if Indicated

Performing Laboratory Location