Urine Culture, Urology Extended Workup
Also known as: Culture, Urine, Comprehensive
Use
Semiquantitative culture to isolate and identify bacterial causes of urinary tract infection. Isolate and identify bacteria present in low numbers in the urinary tract. Detect up to three pathogenic bacterial organisms at levels down to 100 cfu/mL.
Special Instructions
Unrefrigerated unpreserved urine specimens greater than two hours old may lead to overgrowth with organisms normally present in the urethra and periurethral areas, resulting in inaccurate results. Specimens incorrectly submitted with aerobic bacterial culture orders will be processed based on the source listed on the request form without client consultation, although the change will be indicated on the report.
Limitations
Unrefrigerated or unpreserved specimens more than two hours old may be rejected due to the potential for overgrowth of non-target organisms. Urine collected from an indwelling catheter bag or in a nonsterile or leaking container are cause for specimen rejection. CPT coding for microbiology and virology procedures often cannot be determined before the culture is performed, as additional charges may apply based on culture results.
Methodology
Culture-based
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 630-4
- 630-4
Result Turnaround Time
3-5 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Urine
Volume
To minimum fill line (4 mL)
Minimum Volume
Not provided
Container
Vacutainer® gray-top urine culture transport tube with preservative (preferred)
Collection Instructions
Clean catch midstream collection. First morning specimens yield highest bacterial counts. Use special collection straw-puncture device for transfer to Vacutainer® tubes.
Patient Preparation
Patient should collect a clean catch midstream specimen, avoiding contamination with normal flora from skin, rectum, or vagina. Clean area thoroughly before specimen collection.
Storage Instructions
Preserved samples should be kept at room temperature; unpreserved samples should be refrigerated for 24 hours.
Causes for Rejection
Unrefrigerated, unpreserved specimen greater than two hours old; unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label; specimen in expired transport container; specimen received after prolonged delay (usually more than 48 hours for urine); specimen collected from a Foley catheter bag; specimen in nonsterile or leaking container