Culture, Nasopharyngeal / Nasal
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Test Code: 4482
CPT Code(s): 87070
Includes: If culture is positive, identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87077 or 87143 or 87147 or 87140 or 87149).
Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87181 or 87184 or 87185 or 87186).
Methodology: Bacteriologic culture. Aerobic includes routine isolation and identification procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility testing when appropriate.
Clinical Significance: Culture of the nose (as opposed to nasopharynx) is primarily for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus. The significance of other organisms is difficult to assess since this site and its discharges can easily be colonized by a variety of organisms.
Alternative Name(s): Adenoids Culture, Nose Culture, Tonsils Culture, Inner Ear Culture, Nasopharyngeal Culture, NP Culture, Nasal 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: 141903 Amies Liquid Wire Swab (yellow cap)
Preferred specimen(s): Nasopharyngeal (NP), Nasal passages and Paranasal sinus drainage
Instructions: Collect specimen using a mini-tip culture swab transport device. Indicate source of specimen on both the requisition and specimen transport device.
- Insert swab into one nostril.
- Rotate swab over surface of posterior nasopharynx.
- Withdraw swab from collection site; insert into transport tube.
- Repeating procedure for the second nostril will deliver optimal combined sample.
- After collection, immediately transport specimen to the laboratory for viral testing and viral antigen detection. Indicate source of specimen on both the requisition and specimen transport device.
Transport Container: Yellow cap swab (mini-tip with thin wire shaft in Amies gel medium)
Transport Temperature: Room Temperature
Specimen Stability: Deliver To The Microbiology Lab as soon as possible.
- Room Temperature: 2 Days
- Requests For Anaerobic Culture
- Expired Transport Device
- Frozen Specimens
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