Culture, Blood with Reflex to Molecular Identification
Test Code: 13954
CPT Code: 87040
Clinical Significance: Culture, Blood with Reflex to Molecular Identification - Bacterial sepsis constitutes one of the most serious infectious diseases. The detection of microorganisms in a patient's blood has importance in the diagnosis and prognosis of endocarditis, septicemia, or chronic bacteremia.
Includes: Aerobic Culture and Anaerobic Culture
If culture is positive, then molecular identification from the blood culture bottle will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87154) and culture identification will also be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87076 or 87106 or 87077 or 87140 or 87143 or 87147 or 87149).
Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87181 or 87184 or 87185 or 87186).
Methodology: Culture using automated continuous monitoring system
Alternative Name(s): Blood Cultures, Manual, Bactec Blood Culture, Bactec Bottles, Listeria Culture, Blood Cultures, Bactec, Brucella, Blood Culture, Blood Culture Molecular ID
Supplies Needed:
- Adults: #BC34 BD Bactec Lytic/10 Anaerobic/F AND #BC35 BD Bactec Plus Aerobic/F Blood Culture Bottles
- Children weighing 30-80 lbs.: #BC34 BD Bactec Lytic/10 Anaerobic/F AND #BC35 BD Bactec Plus Aerobic/F Blood Culture Bottles - OR #BC33 Standard Pediatric Blood Culture Bottle
- Neonates and children 1 to 6 years: #BC33 Standard Pediatric Blood Culture Bottle
Preferred Specimen(s):
- Adults: 8-10 mL of blood collected in one of each #BC34 BD Bactec Lytic/10 Anaerobic/F AND #BC35 BD Bactec Plus Aerobic/F Blood Culture Bottles
- Children weighing 30-80 lbs.: 8-10 mL blood collected in one of each #BC34 BD Bactec Lytic/10 Anaerobic/F AND #BC35 BD Bactec Plus Aerobic/F Blood Culture Bottles - OR 3 mL blood collected in a #BC33 Standard Pediatric Blood Culture Bottle
- Neonates and children 1 to 6 years: 1-3 mL blood collected in a #BC33 Standard Pediatric Blood Culture Bottle
Minimum Volume: 3 mL in #BC34 BD Bactec Lytic/10 Anaerobic/F AND #BC35 BD Bactec Plus Aerobic/F Blood Culture Bottles • 0.5 mL in #BC33 Standard Pediatric Blood Culture Bottle
Special Instructions: Do not pre-incubate bottles prior to shipment
Transport Container: #BC34 BD Bactec Lytic/10 Anaerobic/F AND #BC35 BD Bactec Plus Aerobic/F Blood Culture Bottles - OR #BC33 Standard Pediatric Blood Culture Bottle
Transport Temperature: Room Temperature
Specimen Stability:
- Room temperature: 48 hours
- Refrigerated: Unacceptable
- Frozen: Unacceptable
Rejection Criteria:
- Blood specimens collected in an EDTA, sodium citrate or anticoagulants such as SPS or heparin
For additional information regarding turnaround time, supply or collection device information, please contact DLO's Customer Service at (800) 891-2917, option 2.
The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed.