Culture, Cath Tip and Medical Devices
Explant, Catheter, Pacemaker, Foreign, Object
Test Codes
EPIC: LAB5479
Department
Microbiology
Instructions
This test does not include Foley catheter tips, chest tubes tips, or abdominal drainage tips.
Specimen Collection Criteria
Collect: Catheter tip or medical device in a sterile collection container.
- Aseptically remove catheter. Holding the distal end over a sterile container, cut the tip with sterile scissors, dropping the last 2 to 3 inches into the container. Avoid drying by sealing the tube.
- Medical devices should be aseptically or surgically removed and placed in a sterile container.
- Submit to the Laboratory immediately after collection.
Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation
Maintain specimens refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F), in a sterile collection container, prior to transport.
Preparation for Courier Transport
Transport: Cath tip or medical device in a sterile collection container, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).
Rejection Criteria
Inpatient Specimen Preparation
Transport specimens to the Laboratory immediately after collection for processing.
Storage
Specimen Stability for Testing:
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 8 hours
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable
Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Medical devices will be held refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) and forwarded to Biomedical Engineering per policy after 7 days.
Laboratory
Dearborn Microbiology Laboratory
Taylor, Trenton and Wayne sent to Dearborn Microbiology Laboratory for testing.
Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory
Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, and Troy sent to Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory for testing.
Performed
Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Preliminary results available within 24 hours.
Final negative results available in 3 days.
Reference Range
No organisms recovered.
Test Methodology
Conventional procedures for Gram stain, aerobic culture and identification, susceptibility testing (if indicated).
Interpretation
The recovery of microorganisms from an appropriate, properly collected specimen may be indicative of an infectious disease process.
Clinical Utility
This test is used to recover and identify aerobic bacteria that may be involved in human infections.
Reference
- Baron. 2015. Specimen Collection, Transport and Processing: Bacteriology. Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 11th ed., American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C. pp. 228-271.
CPT Codes
87070
Contacts
Microbiology Laboratory – DBN
313-593-7921
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – DBN
Location:
Phone: 313-593-7921
Microbiology Laboratory – RO
248-551-8090
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-551-8090
Last Updated
3/23/2021
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