Culture, Ear, External
Main Content
Test Code: 4477
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).
Metholodology: Bacterial culture, aerobic routine isolation and identification procedures, antibiotic 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): Ear, External, Culture
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.
Supply: 141902 Amies Gel
Preferred specimen(s): Collect specimen from external canal using aerobic culture transport device
Instructions: Indicate source of specimen on both the requisition and specimen transport device. For culture of tympanocentesis fluid, see "culture, aerobic and anaerobic".
Minimum volume: One transport swab
Alternative specimen(s): None
Transport container: Amies Gel Swab (Blue)
Transport temperature: Room temperature
Specimen stability: Room temperature: 2 days
- Expired transport device
- Frozen
- Dry swabs
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.
CLIA