Test of Cure Stool Culture (Salmonella or Shigella)
Label Mnemonic: TOCSTL
Epic code: LAB8534
Order form: Microbiology Laboratory Requisition
Supply order: Supply Order Form
Billing: Billing Policies
CPT code: 87045
Specimen(s):
FecalSwabs, Stool
Collection Medium:
Fecal Copan Collection Transport Swab (Hospital Stores #105117)
Minimum:
Please submit only FecalSwab samples.

Please use FecalSwabs [Stores #105117]
1) Obtain a stool specimen in a clean pan or container. Stool specimens should not contain urine or water.
2) Holding FecalSwab shaft above the red breakpoint mark, insert the entire tip of the FecalSwab into the stool sample and rotate. Do not use FecalSwab as a spoon; rather, coat swab with a visible layer.
3) If visible stool is not coating the FecalSwab tip, reinsert until swab is coated.
4) Using swab and aiming tube away, mash and mix the stool sample against the side of the tube to suspend the sample.
5) Invert the tube several times to homogenize the sample and expose the sample to Cary Blair preservative fluid.
Rejection Criteria:
Stool not in FecalSwabs.
Testing Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Turn Around Time:
2 days
Reference Range:
Negative
Comments:
This test is only useful as followup to a positive Enteric Panel (Epic LAB8513) or following a positive test at an outside institution. The Enteric Panel or C. difficile testing (Epic LAB8239) are generally used to make initial diagnosis of infectious diarrhea. Followup culture is performed only for Salmonella or Shigella: specify organism being tested for in the order comments.

If test of cure needed for previous EHEC or STEC positive, contact local County Public Health Department. Specimen should be sent directly to State Hygienic Laboratory with appropriate SHL requisition.
Methodology:
Culture
Instructions:
Transport to laboratory immediately at room temperature.
Sample Processing:
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of collection.
Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as possible.
Transport Instructions:
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
DO NOT FREEZE, protect specimen by wrapping in bubble-wrap or toweling.
Ship at room temperature or refrigerate.
CPT Code:
87045
 
See also:
C. difficile Toxin Screen, Stool