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
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
Unrefrigerated, unpreserved urine specimens older than two hours may be subject to overgrowth with organisms normally present in the urethra and periurethral areas, leading to inaccurate or misleading results. If specimens are inaccurately submitted with an order for aerobic bacterial culture, the laboratory will process based on the request form's source, without client consent but with an indication on the report.
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.
Methodology
Culture-based
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 630-4
- 630-4
Result Turnaround Time
2-4 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
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
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 48 hours (preserved) |
| Refrigerated | 24 hours (unpreserved) |