Catheter Tip Culture
Test Mnemonic
CTCUL
CPT Codes
- 87070 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
11475-1
Aliases
- Cath Tip Culture
- Catheter Culture
Performing Laboratory
n/a
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One | Catheter | Clean container | Ambient | Aseptically remove catheter and clip 5cm of distal tip directly into a sterile container. |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | 24 hours |
| Refrigerated | Unacceptable |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |
Days Performed
Sun - Sat
Turnaround Time
7 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Culture, Identification |
Reference Range
Special Info
Culture performed on intravascular catheter tips (eg, central, CVP, Hickman, Broviac, Peripheral, arterial, umbilical, hyperalimentation, Swan-Ganz). Cleanse skin around catheter site with alcohol. Aseptically remove catheter and clip 5 cm of distal tip directly into a sterile container. If culture is positive, identification will be performed on clinically significant organisms at an additional charge. Identification CPT codes that may apply include: 87077, 87106, 87107, 87153. Antimicrobial susceptibilities are performed when indicated, and the following CPT codes may apply: 87181, 87184, 87185, 87186. Foley catheter tips, chest tube tips and abdominal drainage tips are not acceptable for culture.
Clinical Info
Blood cultures are the essential test for diagnosing catheter-related bacteremia. The clinical relevance of catheter tip cultures is controversial. A positive culture may indicate contamination during removal.