Urine Culture, Routine

Also known as: Culture, Urine, Routine, Midstream Urine Culture, Routine, Routine Culture, Urine, Clean Catch, Urine Culture, Catheter, Urine Culture, Routine, Midvoid Specimen

Clinical Use

Order Test

Use

Semiquantitative culture to isolate and identify bacterial causes of urinary tract infection. Detect up to two pathogenic bacterial organisms at levels above 10,000 cfu/mL.

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

A single culture has about 80% accuracy in females; two samples with the same organism at a count of 100,000 cfu/mL or more indicate a 95% chance of true bacteriuria, and three samples provide virtual certainty. Catheterized specimens with multiple organisms likely indicate colonization rather than significant bacteriuria. Unrefrigerated, unpreserved specimens older than two hours are prone to contamination. More than two recovered organisms suggest high contamination likelihood.

Test Details

Methodology

Culture-based

Biomarkers

Unknown microorganism

Microorganism

Quantitation

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

Antimicrobial Susceptibility

Other • Binary (Detected / Not Detected)

LOINC Codes

Order Codes

630-4 - Bacteria Ur Cult

Result Codes

630-4 - Bacteria Ur Cult

Result Turnaround Time

2-4 days

Specimen

Urine

Volume

4 mL

Minimum Volume

Not provided

Container

Vacutainer® gray-top urine culture transport tube with preservative (preferred)

Collection Instructions

Clean catch mid-stream collection. First morning specimens yield highest bacterial counts. Avoid contamination with skin, rectum, or vaginal flora.

Patient Preparation

Patient should be instructed on the proper collection of a clean catch midstream urine specimen, following the directions with the urine collection kit.

Storage Instructions

Preserved specimens can be stored at room temperature for 48 hours; unpreserved specimens should be refrigerated for 24 hours.

Causes for Rejection

Unrefrigerated, unpreserved specimen greater than two hours old; unlabeled specimen; name discrepancy; expired container; prolonged delay; nonsterile or leaking container