Culture, Sputum/Lower Respiratory
Test code: 4556
CPT code(s): 87070, 87205
Clinical significance:
Isolation of potential respiratory pathogens can be useful in the diagnosis of respiratory tract infection. This specimen may contain normal oral flora. The significance of any isolate must be evaluated with this in mind.
Includes:
Aerobic culture and Gram stain
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: Aerobic bacterial culture. Includes gram stain evaluation of specimen, routine isolation and identification procedures.
Antibiotic susceptibility testing when appropriate.
Alternative name(s): Lower Respiratory, Sputum Bacterial Culture, Respiratory Culture
Supply:
- #U02 90mL Sterile w/ Green Lid
Preferred specimen(s): 3-5 mL sputum
Collection instructions: Early morning expectorated sputum from deep cough
Transport container: Sterile leak-proof screw-cap container
Transport temperature: Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen stability:
- Deliver to the Microbiology lab ASAP
- Room temperature: 2 hours maximum, then refrigerate ASAP
- Refrigerated: 24 hours
- Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject criteria:
- Any specimen >48 hours old
- 24-hour pooled sputum
- Sputum received for anaerobic culture
- Room temperature specimens 2 hours or older
- Specimens which have leaked and contaminated the outside of the collection container
- Sputum specimens with >25 epithelial cells per low power field
- Received frozen
Refrigerated specimens older than 24 hours but less than 48 hours old may be processed only after contacting the client and informing them that the results may be compromised. If they still desire the specimen cultured, medical director approval must be obtained and documented.
For additional 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.