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URINE CULTURE (8000100006)
Test Mnemonic:

C UR

Specimen Requirements:
Collection:

For midstream urine collection, follow directions in the Specimen Collection Section of the LSG. Use urine collection kit that is available from Materials Management

Catheter urines - collect urine from fresh urine output, not bag.

Straight cath and suprapubic urines are collected using aseptic technique by trained personnel

Container:

Formic acid preservative tube - Gray top vacutainer or sterile container

Minimum Volume:

2ml

Storage/Transport:

Preserved urine - Room temperature; Unpreserved urine must be refrigerated

Stability:

Preserved and refrigerated - 48 hours; non-preserved, room temperature samples - 2 hours

Causes for Rejection:

Prolonged transport time, specimen received in a non-sterile container, leaking container, more than one sample received within 48 hours, samples without preservatives received 2 hours after collection. Submission of potassium lithium tubes (also gray topped). Insufficient quantity. Specimen container unlabeled or labeled incorrectly. No date and time of collection on requisition form.

Reference Range:

No growth

Turnaround Time:

2-4 Days

Methodology:

Culture; including colony count, isolation and identification of aerobic bacteria and antimicrobial susceptibility testing when appropriate.

Performed:

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

Synonyms:

CULTURE, URINE

Clinical Indication:

Signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection caused by bacteria or yeast

Patient Preparation :

The patient is given instructions on how to collect a clean-catch, mid-stream urine. Other sample types are collected by nursing staff.

CPT 4 Code:

87086, additional CPT codes if indicated

Note:

Gram stains are not routinely performed, order as a separate test if needed.

Please specify if sample is from a suprapubic or other specially collected samples  so that special processing procedures are used.

One sample per 48 hours is accepted for culture.

When ordering tests for which Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement will be sought, physicians should only order tests that are medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient. Components of the organ or disease panels may be ordered individually. The diagnostic information must substantiate all tests ordered and must be in the form of an ICD-10 code or its verbal equivalent.
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