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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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OSMOLALITY, FECES

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB4219    Geisinger Epic ID:  176160

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Liquid stool


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

1 mL (minimum 0.2 ml) random watery liquid fecal collected in a plastic screw-cap container or 24-hour or 48-hour watery liquid fecal collected in a plastic screw-cap container


Special notes: 

Submit a frozen specimen of watery liquid feces in a plastic screw-cap container. Keep feces refrigerated during collection and transport frozen. Only watery liquid feces are an acceptable specimen. In the event a formed fecal specimen is submitted, the test will not be performed and will be cancelled.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Specimen must be shipped frozen to reduce the odor during shipping and to minimize the risk of the container rupturing due to gas accumulation.


Transport temperature: 

Frozen.


Specimen stability: 

Room temperature: Unacceptable. Refrigerated: 48 hours. Frozen: 60 days


Rejection criteria: 

Specimens in paint cans • Formed stool • Specimens received room temperature • Specimens received refrigerated



TEST DETAILS
CPT code(s):  84999
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Methodology: 
Freezing Point
Synonyms: 

Quest test code 968


Review Date:  12/17/2024

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