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Test Code C_URINE Urine Culture

EHR Test Codes

  Test Code Test Name
Atlas C_URINE Urine Culture
Cerner   Urine Culture

 

Specimen Requirements

Preparation of Patient:

Laboratory recommends a midstream "clean-catch" random urine collection.  See patient instructions female/male.  Follow physician's instructions if they differ from laboratory recommendation.

 

Midstream – Clean Catch

  • Female:
    • Thoroughly cleanse the urethral area with soap and water or wipes
    • Rinse the area with wet gauze pads
    • While holding the labia apart, begin voiding
    • After several milliliters have passed, collect a midstream portion (without stopping the flow) into a sterile transport container
    • Cap Specimen carefully and tightly to prevent leakage
  • Male:
    • Retract the foreskin in uncircumcised
    • Clean the glans with soap and water or wipes
    • Rinse after cleansing
    • Begin voiding
    • After several milliliters have passed, collect a midstream portion (without stopping the flow) into a sterile transport container

Straight Catheter

  • Collected by nursing staff or physician
  • Thoroughly cleanse the urethral area with soap and water or wipes
  • Rinse the area with wet gauze pads
  • Aseptically insert a catheter into the bladder
  • After allowing approximately 15mL to pass, collect urine in a sterile container.
  • Cap Specimen carefully and tightly to prevent leakage

 

Container Type:

Sterile Specimen Cup

 

or

 

Grey Top 4 mL Boric Acid Tube

 

Specimen Type:

Urine  Specify source required; such as bladder wash, clean-catch, catheter, cystoscopy, or suprapubic aspirate.

 

Specimen Volume:

4 mL urine  mininum .5 mL (sterile cup only)

 

Specimen Handling/Transport:

Transport sterile containers refrigerated 2 - 8oC. 

 

For boric acid grey top tubes, mix specimen and aliquot using sterile straw transfer device.  Fill tube between the minimum and maximum fill lines indicated on label.  Immediately after filling, gently invert the tube 8 to 10 times to mix urine with boric acid.  Transport room temperature or refrigerated 2 - 8oC.

 

Specimen Stability/Storage:

Sterile containers are stable 2 hours ambient room temperature or 24 hours refrigerated 2 - 8oC

Boric acid grey top tubes are stable 48 hours ambient room temperature or refrigerated 2 - 8oC

 

Performing Laboratory

Munson Medical Center Laboratories

Microbiology

Priority, Frequency, & Turnaround

Priority:

Non-Emergent

 

Frequency:

24 hours 7 days a week

 

Turnaround:

2 - 3 Days

Methodology

Aerobic Culture and Colony Count

Reporting

Reference Range:

No growth

 

Critical Decision:

None

Clinical Significance

UTI's are primarily of two types: cystitis, which is infection of the bladder; and, pyelonephritis, which is infection of the renal parenchyma.

Historically, most urinary tract infections have been defined by the presence of >105org/mL of urine. 

Patients with chronic pyelonephritis will generally have low number of organisms in their urine, particularly if the urinary tract is obstructed by the presence of a renal stone.

CPT Code(s)

87086

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