URINE CULTURE, ROUTINE
Test Code: LAB239
CPT Code: 87086
Interface Code
URNC
Synonym
URINE CULTURE, URINE, ROUTINE CULTURE, MIDSTREAM URINE CULTURE, ROUTINE, CLEAN CATCH, URINE CULTURE COMPREHENSIVE , URNC, COMP, CX
Specimen Type
URINE
Urine Acceptable SOURCES:
• Clean Catch, midstream
• Bladder
• Cystostomy Tube Fluid
• Kidney
• Nephrectomy
• Nephrostomy
• Ureter
• Ureterostomy
• Urinary Bladder
• Urinary Meatus
• Urine Foley
• Urine, Straight Catheter
• Urine, Suprapubic
• Urine, voided
Urine Acceptable SOURCES:
• Clean Catch, midstream
• Bladder
• Cystostomy Tube Fluid
• Kidney
• Nephrectomy
• Nephrostomy
• Ureter
• Ureterostomy
• Urinary Bladder
• Urinary Meatus
• Urine Foley
• Urine, Straight Catheter
• Urine, Suprapubic
• Urine, voided
Specimen Container
Vacutainer® gray-top urine culture transport tube with preservative (preferred)
Sterile Container: If less than 4 mL of urine is collected (refrigerate)
Sterile Container: If less than 4 mL of urine is collected (refrigerate)
Specimen Handling
Medical office or lab: Transfer 4 mL of the urine collected in a sterile container into a Vacutainer® gray-top urine culture transport tube. If the transfer cannot occur within 2 hour of collection or the volume obtained is less than 4 mL then refrigerate.
PATIENT PREP FOR CLEAN-CATCH MIDSTREAM SPECIMEN:
Sterile container and towelette needed
1. Clean genital area with the antiseptic towelette provided.
2. Collect a midstream urine sample only. To do this, pass a small amount of urine into the toilet and then start collecting urine into the container. The container only needs to be half-full.
3. Firmly screw down the lid of the container and wipe up any urine on the outside of the container.
4. Label container with full name, date of birth and date/time of collection.
PATIENT PREP FOR CLEAN-CATCH MIDSTREAM SPECIMEN:
Sterile container and towelette needed
1. Clean genital area with the antiseptic towelette provided.
2. Collect a midstream urine sample only. To do this, pass a small amount of urine into the toilet and then start collecting urine into the container. The container only needs to be half-full.
3. Firmly screw down the lid of the container and wipe up any urine on the outside of the container.
4. Label container with full name, date of birth and date/time of collection.
Volume
4 – 10 ML in a Vacutainer® gray-top urine culture transport tube (minimum of 4 mL)
If less than 4 mL of urine is collected, submit refrigerated in a sterile, screw cap container or tube. Do NOT submit low volume urine specimens in a under filled gray top tube.
If less than 4 mL of urine is collected, submit refrigerated in a sterile, screw cap container or tube. Do NOT submit low volume urine specimens in a under filled gray top tube.
Temperature
Refrigerated (preferred)
Room Temperature (Acceptable for Vacutainer® gray-top urine culture transport tube ONLY)
Room Temperature (Acceptable for Vacutainer® gray-top urine culture transport tube ONLY)
Unacceptable Conditions
Unpreserved room temperature urine greater than 2 hours old
Unpreserved refrigerated urine >24 hours old
Grey top with <4 mL (under filled)
Grey top/preserved urine >48 hours old
Foley tips
Specimens from catheter bag
Urine in urinalysis transport tube
Expired transport devices
24-hour urine collections
Leaking samples
Dirty catch urine
Unpreserved refrigerated urine >24 hours old
Grey top with <4 mL (under filled)
Grey top/preserved urine >48 hours old
Foley tips
Specimens from catheter bag
Urine in urinalysis transport tube
Expired transport devices
24-hour urine collections
Leaking samples
Dirty catch urine
Methodology
CULTURE
Schedule
Daily
Additional Information
State history of antibiotic therapy and source of specimen on either the container or requisition. Specimen must be collected prior to administration of antibiotics.
Recommended for clean catch mid-stream collection: First morning specimens yield highest bacterial counts from overnight incubation in the bladder, and are the best specimens.
If culture is positive, CPT code(s):
• 87088 (each isolate) will be added with an additional charge.
• Identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87077 or 87140 or 87143 or 87147 or 87149).
• Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87181 or 87184 or 87185 or 87186).
Recommended for clean catch mid-stream collection: First morning specimens yield highest bacterial counts from overnight incubation in the bladder, and are the best specimens.
If culture is positive, CPT code(s):
• 87088 (each isolate) will be added with an additional charge.
• Identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87077 or 87140 or 87143 or 87147 or 87149).
• Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87181 or 87184 or 87185 or 87186).
Stability
Grey top Tube (Urine in preservative tube)
Room Temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Not acceptable
Unpreserved Urine:
Room Temperature: 2 hours
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Frozen: Not acceptable
Room Temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Not acceptable
Unpreserved Urine:
Room Temperature: 2 hours
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Frozen: Not acceptable
Reference Range Information
Reference values are dependent upon methodology/instrumentation, check final report for current reference values
Turn Around Time
48 hours
Performing Site
Pacific Diagnostic Laboratories
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