Test Name: Blood Culture
CPT Codes: 87040
Turnaround Time: Preliminary: 24 Hours | Final: 5 Days

Blood cultures are performed to detect bacteremia or fungemia by isolating and identifying pathogenic organisms from blood.

• Specimen: Whole Blood 
• Collection Bottles: Aerobic and Anaerobic blood culture bottles 
• Recommended Volume: 
  • Adults: 8–10 mL per bottle 
  • Pediatrics: Age/weight appropriate
     

• Collect using strict aseptic technique 
• Obtain cultures prior to antibiotic administration, if possible 
• Collect from separate venipuncture sites when multiple sets are ordered
   

• Transport Temperature: Room Temperature 
• Do Not Refrigerate or Freeze
•  Transport to laboratory immediately
   

• Detection of bloodstream infections 
• Evaluation of sepsis, endocarditis, and systemic infections
   

Test Name: Urine Culture
CPT Code: 87086
Turnaround Time: 24–72 Hours

• Specimen: Urine 
• Collection Type: Clean-catch midstream preferred 
• Container: Sterile urine container
   

• Refrigerate specimen if transport delayed 
• Process within 24 hours of collection
   

• Diagnosis of urinary tract infections 
• Identification and susceptibility testing of uropathogens
   

Test Name: PCR Urine Culture
CPT Code: 87798 (panel-based)
Turnaround Time: 24–48 Hours

• E. coli 
• Klebsiella spp. 
• Proteus spp. 
• Enterococcus spp. 
• Staphylococcus spp. 
• Antibiotic resistance genes (when applicable)
   

• Specimen: Urine 
• Collection Type: Clean-catch preferred
   

• Rapid molecular detection of UTI pathogens 
• Identification of resistance markers
   

Test Name: Wound Culture
CPT Codes: 87070 / 87075
Turnaround Time: 48–72 Hours

Culture and identification of aerobic and anaerobic organisms from wound sites.

• Preferred Specimen: Tissue or aspirate 
• Acceptable Specimen: Swab (only if tissue not available) 
• Collection Device: Sterile swab or container
   

• Clean wound surface prior to collection 
• Avoid superficial contaminants 
• Transport promptly
   

• Identification of wound and soft tissue infections 
• Guidance for targeted antimicrobial therapy
   

Test Name: Stool Culture
CPT Codes: 87045 / 87046 / 87047
Turnaround Time: 48–72 Hours

• Salmonella spp. 
• Shigella spp. 
• Campylobacter spp. 
• Yersinia enterocolitica 
• Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
   

• Specimen: Stool 
• Collection Container: Clean, leak-proof stool container 
• Preservative: As directed (if applicable)
   

• Avoid laxatives unless directed by provider
   

• Diagnosis of bacterial gastrointestinal infections 
• Evaluation of infectious diarrhea