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Test Code
ARID
Test Name
Arthropod Identification
CPT Codes
87168
Expected Turnaround Time
1 - 3 days
Clinical Utility
Useful for the identification of ticks, mites, bedbugs, and other arthropods to aid the appropriate diagnosis and management of patients from whom they were recovered.
Specimen and Container Info

Specimen

Container

Tick, Arachnid, Macroscopic Ectoparasite, or Worm

Sterile Container

Skin Scraping

Glass Slides
Collection Instructions

Scabies Collection

  1. Place a drop of mineral oil on a sterile scalpel blade. Allow some oil to flow onto the papule. Oil will help the mites to adhere.
  2. Scrape the papule vigorously 5-8 times over a clean, dry, unfrosted glass slide. There should be flex of blood in the oil to indicate that a satisfactory scraping was obtained.
  3. Transfer any remaining scraping from the scalpel onto the slide.
  4. Place another dry, clean, unfrosted slide on top of the scraping slide and tape the ends of the slides to secure.
  5. Label the slides with two patient identifiers and place in a sterile container for transport to the lab.
Transport Instructions

Transport to the laboratory at room temperature.
Stability Requirements

Room Temperature

72 hours
Causes for Rejection
Submission of stool or bodily fluids is not acceptable.
Methodology
Microscopic Examination
Performing Location
Roble Road Core Laboratory
Alternate Names
  • Bedbug identification
  • Worm identification
  • Tick identification
  • Ectoparasite identification
Testing Schedule
Routine, Monday-Friday - no holidays
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
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