In simple words: This test helps identify harmful bacteria, other than Salmonella or Shigella, in your stool. A small sample of your stool is placed on a special nutrient plate and allowed to grow in a lab. After a couple of days, the lab technicians check for the presence of specific bacteria based on how they look and grow.

This code describes a procedure where a stool sample is cultured in an aerobic environment to isolate and presumptively identify bacterial pathogens other than Salmonella or Shigella. The process involves inoculating the stool sample onto selective media plates that promote the growth of specific pathogens while inhibiting normal enteric bacteria. After a period of incubation (typically 24 and 48 hours), the plates are examined for bacterial colonies with characteristic features. Presumptive identification is based on colony morphology, growth patterns, Gram stains, and up to three basic tests like catalase, oxidase, indole, or urease.If further identification is required, more advanced tests are performed and coded separately.

Example 1: A patient presents with persistent diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. To determine the cause, the physician orders a stool culture for bacterial pathogens other than Salmonella and Shigella, leading to the use of code 87046., A patient with a compromised immune system develops severe gastroenteritis. A stool culture is performed to identify any potential bacterial pathogens, ruling out Salmonella and Shigella, and billed under code 87046., A child attending daycare experiences an outbreak of diarrhea. A stool sample is cultured to identify the bacterial cause, specifically looking for enteric bacteria other than Salmonella and Shigella, using code 87046.

The documentation should include the patient's symptoms, the reason for the stool culture, and the results of the presumptive identification. Details regarding any additional testing performed for definitive identification should also be documented.