Home
HelpTest Code PCT Procalcitonin
EHR Test Codes
| Test Code | Test Name | |
| Atlas | PCT | Procalcitonin |
| Cerner | Procalcitonin |
Specimen Requirements
Preparation of Patient:
None
Container Type:
Gold Top SST Gel & Clot Activator Tube
Specimen Type:
Serum
Specimen Volume:
1.0 mL of Serum minimum .5 mL of Serum
Specimen Handling/Transport:
Separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection.
Transport ambient room temperature.
Specimen Stability/Storage:
16 hours ambient room temperature
2 days refrigerated 2-8°C
Specimen Rejection:
Gross Hemolysis
Gross Lipemia
Gross Icterus
Performing Laboratory
Munson Healthcare Laboratories
Chemistry Department
Except Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital Laboratory, specimens will be sent to Munson Medical Center for testing.
Priority, Frequency, & Turnaround
Priority:
STAT, ASAP, Non-Emergent
Frequency:
24 hours 7 days a week
Turnaround:
0 - 1 days
STAT 60 minutes from receipt in lab
Methodology
Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Reporting
Reference Range:
0 - 0.5 ng/mL
Critical Decision:
None
Clinical Significance
PCT is more specific to bacterial infections, and can aid in the differential diagnosis between nonbacterial illnesses and bacterial illnesses and sepsis. In circulation, PCT has a half-life of 25-30 hours when controlled by the host immune system or appropriate treatment. PCT results may become elevated by causes other than systemic bacterial infection, including burns, trauma, autoimmune disorders or prolonged cardiogenic shock. Therefore, PCT should not be used alone but always in conjunction with patient history and clinical signs and symptoms.
CPT Code
84145