Body Fluid Culture, Sterile, Routine

Test ID: 

705715

CPT code:

87070

Synonyms:

Culture, Body Fluid, Sterile, Routine

Sterile Body Fluid Culture

Clinical Use:

Isolate and identify pathogenic organisms from normally sterile body fluids

Specimen Type:

Aseptically aspirated body fluid (eg, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial, peritoneal fluid). Do not submit syringes with needles attached. Swabs without visible fluid are not acceptable for Body Fluid Culture.

Minimum Volume: 

2 mL

Container Type: 

Sterile tube or other sterile leakproof container, blood culture bottle, Vacutainer™ Plus no Additive tube, sodium heparin tube, and swabs with visible fluid; do not use red-top Vacutainer™ tubes.

Patient Preparation: 

Swab skin over the site of puncture with 2% tincture of iodine in concentric circles. Note: Iodine should remain in contact with skin for at least one minute prior to puncture to ensure complete antisepsis. Following puncture, 70% alcohol is used to remove iodine from skin.

Collection:

Contamination with normal flora from skin, rectum, vaginal tract, or other body surfaces should be avoided. If anaerobes are suspected, order Anaerobic Culture.

Storage Instructions:

Maintain specimen at room temperature.

Rejection Criteria

Improper labeling; red-top Vacutainer™ tubes; swabs without visible fluid