Test Code: 4480
CPT Code(s): 87070
Includes: If culture is positive, identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 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: Bacterial culture, aerobic routine isolation and identification procedures antimicrobial susceptibility testing when appropriate
Clinical Significance:
The significance of any isolate(s), in pure or mixed culture, must be assessed with respect to the source cultured, the organism's pathogenic potential, the possibility of colonization versus infection, and the number of other organisms recovered from the same culture.
Alternative Name(s): Eye, External Culture
Supply: #S02 Blue CultureSwab™ MaxV collection & transport
Preferred specimen(s): Collect specimen using a BD™ blue cap, Amies gel transport medium culture device. Corneal scrapings should be collected using a sterile corneal spatula and placed directly on appropriate culture media (contact
laboratory to obtain media prior to collection). Indicate source of specimen on both the requisition and specimen transport device.
Minimum volume: One transport swab
Alternative specimen(s): None
Transport container: Transport swab or bacterial culture media
Transport temperature Room temperature
Specimen stability: Deliver to microbiology lab as soon as possible
Transport swab: Room temperature: 2 days
Reject criteria:
- Expired transport device
- Frozen
- Dry swabs
For additional supply or collection device information, please contact DLO's Customer Services 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.