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Test Code M43 Stool Culture

Important Note

Cary Blair Transport Media is poisonous: If accidently ingested, call a doctor immediately. Drink milk or water to help dilute the fluids. Avoid contact with skin and flush well with water if this should occur.

Additional Codes

ALAB: STLCUL

PowerChart: Culture Stool

MA Cerner: Stool Culture

Test Method

Manual; Agar Growth and Biochemical Identification

Specimen Requirement

Stool collection transported in a Para-Pak C & S (Cary Blair) Stool Colleciton Kit is required.

Accept no more than 2 specimens per patient with prior consultation with provider and/or pathologist.

Do not accept specimens from inpatients after the third hospital day without a prior consultation with provider and/or pathologist.

Additional Specimen Collection Information

Check the expiration date on the Para-Pak C & S (Cary Blair) Stool Colleciton Kit prior to using. Do not use expired transport media.

Collection Instructions:
Note: Stool must be transferred to Para-Pak C & S vial (Cary Blair medium) within 2 hours of collection. Specimen remains viable in Cary Blair medium for 96 hours.

  1. Pass the stool into a clean, dry container or bedpan.
  2. Do not allow urine to contaminate the specimen in the collection container.
  3. Open the transport media vial.
  4. Use the collection spoon built into the lid of the tube to place a small scoopful of stool from areas that appear bloody, slimy or watery into the tube until the liquid level rises to the red line.
  5. If the stool is formed [hard], sample small amounts from each end and the middle.
  6. Mix the contents of the vial with the spoon, twist the cap tightly closed and shake the tube vigorously until the contents are well mixed.
  7. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection.

Transport to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection.

Performance

Testing performed Monday through Sunday

Typically completed 48 to 72 hours after specimen arrives at the testing site.

Reference Values

The report will indicate the presence or absence of enteric pathogens.

Enteric pathogens will be identified and sensitivities performed when appropriate. Stool cultures are screened for: Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Aeromonas, Pleisiomonas, Shiga Toxin Producing E.coli (STEC) and E. coli 0157. All positive stool culture reports are called to the nurse's station or physician office.

CPT Code Information

87045 Identification of Microorganism; stool, aerobic, with isolation and preliminary examination, Salmonella and Shigella species

87046 (x 3) Identification of Microorganism; stool, aerobic, additional pathogens, isloation and presumptive identification of isolates, each plate

87427 (x 2) Shiga-like Toxin

87015 Concentration (any type) for infectious agents

Useful For

Determining whether a bacterial enteric pathogen is the cause of diarrhea

May be helpful in identifying the source of the infectious agent (eg, dairy products, poultry, water, or meat)

LOINC Code Information

625-4 Bacteria Identified In Stool By Culture

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