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HelpTest Code LAB2534 Catheter Tip Culture
Infectious
Clinical System Name
Catheter Tip Culture
Synonyms
Cath Tip Culture
Cathether Tip Culture
Intravascular Catheter
LAB2534
Sample Requirements
Specimen: Catheter Tip
Container: Sterile Container (without any liquid or other additives)
Preferred Vol: N/A
Minimum Vol: N/A
Processing Instructions
CPA: Send sample to Microbiology for processing.
Off-site collection: Cath Tip cultures are not set up at Off-site Children's Lab locations. Sample should be kept at room temperature for courier pickup and delivery to SCH Micro.
Stability
| Temp | Time |
|---|---|
| Room temp | 2 h |
| Refrigerated | N |
| Frozen | N |
Availability
| Procedure | Performed | Turn Around Time (TAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Gram Stain | N/A |
N/A |
| Culture | 24/7 | 2 - 7 days |
Cultures are read at appropriate intervals to detect early bacterial growth. STAT culture requests are not applicable.
Note: Gram Stains are not performed on Cath Tip cultures.
Performing Laboratory
Seattle Children's Laboratory
Department
Microbiology Laboratory
CPT Codes
87070
This test is not limited to the CPT codes listed. Others may be added as more testing is necessary and depending on the pathogens isolated (example: MIC's and ID's).
Description
Includes Bacterial Culture. Gram Stain is not performed. Sample is cultured for Aerobic bacteria and Yeast.
Note: Cath Tip is not an suitable specimen for culture of Filamentous Fungi and will be rejected.
Reporting Information
Preliminary Report: 18 - 24 hours
Negative Final Report: 2 - 7 days
Growth of >15 colonies of a single organism is considered positive.
No growth cultures are typically held for 7 days.
Notifiable Result
See Link below for Notifiable Conditions for WA state labs:
https://doh.wa.gov/public-health-healthcare-providers/notifiable-conditions
See Link below for PDF of phone numbers for Local Health jurisdictions (by County) in WA State:
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1200/LHJCommunicableDiseaseReporting.pdf