| Aerobic Bacterial Culture (088-0065) | |
|---|---|
| Test Mnemonic: | C WD - Wound culture |
| Specimen Requirements: | |
| Collection: | Using aseptic technique, collect aspiration, drainage, fluid or tissue from the infected site. Culturettes (swabs) are accepted. |
| Container: | Sterile container; culturette |
| Storage/Transport: | Room temperature if same day delivery; refrigerate if longer. |
| Stability: | 48 hours |
| Causes for Rejection: | Specimen container unlabeled or labeled incorrectly. No date and time of collection or no collection information on order. |
| Reference Range: | No aerobic growth |
| Turnaround Time: | 2-3 days |
| Methodology: | Gram stain, culture for the isolation of aerobic bacteria, and identification and antimicrobial susceptibility when appropriate |
| Performed: | Clinical Microbiology |
| Clinical Indication: | Suspected bacterial infection of superfical wound or of deep abscess from various body sites. |
| Patient Preparation : | Cleanse wound/abscess site |
| CPT 4 Code: | 87040, 87205 gram stain, additional if indicated |
| Note: | Order Wound (C WD) culture if superfical infection site and Abscess (C ABS) culture if the site is a deep wound abscess. |
| When ordering tests for which Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement will be sought, physicians should only order tests that are medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient. Components of the organ or disease panels may be ordered individually. The diagnostic information must substantiate all tests ordered and must be in the form of an ICD-10 code or its verbal equivalent. | |