Urine culture, Reflex identification (87077, 87088) and susceptibility testing (87184, 87186) performed when appropriate
Performing Laboratory / Facility
UCLA Healthcare Clinical Laboratory - Brentwood
Performing Section
Microbiology
Availability
Daily
Turnaround Time
Preliminary report available within 24 hours of receipt of specimen, final report in 2 days
Use
Isolate and identify potentially pathogenic organisms causing urinary tract infection
Patient Preparation
Clean catch specimen: Thoroughly instruct patient for proper collection of clean catch specimen. Patient must be instructed to thoroughly cleanse skin and collect midstream specimen. Do not collect urine from a drainage bag when an indwelling catheter is in place because growth of bacteria can occur in the bag itself.
Limitations
Bacteria present in numbers <1000 organisms/mL are not detected by this method. Bacteria present in urine obtained by sterile collection (e.g., suprapubic aspirates), nephrostomy, and urological reconstructions will be detected at >=100 organisms/mL. Urine in the gray top (boric acid) tube can be tested only for bacterial culture and not for other tests (e.g., Fungal Culture Urine LAB2644).
Additional Information
When more than two organisms are recovered, the likelihood of contamination is high thus, the significance of definitive identification of the organisms and susceptibility testing in this situation is severely limited. A repeat culture with proper specimen collection and patient preparation is often indicated.
Specimen Type
Urine
Container
Urine, Boric Acid Gray Top
Urine Container, Clean Catch
Collection Instructions
Freshly voided random urine, a clean catch specimen is preferred. First morning specimen preferred. Transfer to gray top tube and deliver specimen to the Laboratory.
Volume
Gray top (boric acid) tube filled to line
Storage Temperature
Refrigerate. Preferred that urine is transferred to a gray top tube with boric acid, otherwise transport primary urine collection container refrigerated
Stability
Specimen type
Refrigerated (2 - 8°C)
Room Temp (15 - 25°C)
Frozen (-20°C)
Frozen (≤-70°C)
Urine, Boric Acid Gray Top
48 hours
48 hours
N/A
N/A
Urine, Clean Catch
24 hours
N/A
N/A
N/A
Shipping and Handling Instructions
Refrigerate. Preferred that urine is transferred to a gray top tube with boric acid, otherwise transport primary urine collection container refrigerated
Ambulatory Specimen Processing / Transport
Refrigerate. Preferred that urine is transferred to a gray top tube with boric acid, otherwise transport primary urine collection container refrigerated
Causes for Rejection
Specimen not received in boric acid transport from outpatient clinics, excessive delay in transport (more than 24 hours for refrigerated urine container and more than 48 hours for gray top with boric acid for bacterial culture), 24 hour specimens, urine bags, more than one specimen submitted per day, fecal contamination; specimen collected in wrong container; improper storage; leaking specimen; excessive delay in transport.
Reference Range
No growth at 1:1000 dilution
Test Information
CPT Codes
87086
Synonyms
Bacterial Culture, Urine
Routine Culture, Urine, Clean Catch
Urine Culture, Routine
Test Includes
Urine culture, Reflex identification (87077, 87088) and susceptibility testing (87184, 87186) performed when appropriate
Performing Laboratory / Facility
UCLA Healthcare Clinical Laboratory - Brentwood
Performing Section
Microbiology
Availability
Daily
Turnaround Time
Preliminary report available within 24 hours of receipt of specimen, final report in 2 days
Use
Isolate and identify potentially pathogenic organisms causing urinary tract infection
Patient Preparation
Clean catch specimen: Thoroughly instruct patient for proper collection of clean catch specimen. Patient must be instructed to thoroughly cleanse skin and collect midstream specimen. Do not collect urine from a drainage bag when an indwelling catheter is in place because growth of bacteria can occur in the bag itself.
Limitations
Bacteria present in numbers <1000 organisms/mL are not detected by this method. Bacteria present in urine obtained by sterile collection (e.g., suprapubic aspirates), nephrostomy, and urological reconstructions will be detected at >=100 organisms/mL. Urine in the gray top (boric acid) tube can be tested only for bacterial culture and not for other tests (e.g., Fungal Culture Urine LAB2644).
Additional Information
When more than two organisms are recovered, the likelihood of contamination is high thus, the significance of definitive identification of the organisms and susceptibility testing in this situation is severely limited. A repeat culture with proper specimen collection and patient preparation is often indicated.
Specimen Collection and Handling
Specimen Type
Urine
Container
Urine, Boric Acid Gray Top
Urine Container, Clean Catch
Collection Instructions
Freshly voided random urine, a clean catch specimen is preferred. First morning specimen preferred. Transfer to gray top tube and deliver specimen to the Laboratory.
Volume
Gray top (boric acid) tube filled to line
Storage Temperature
Refrigerate. Preferred that urine is transferred to a gray top tube with boric acid, otherwise transport primary urine collection container refrigerated
Stability
Specimen type
Refrigerated (2 - 8°C)
Room Temp (15 - 25°C)
Frozen (-20°C)
Frozen (≤-70°C)
Urine, Boric Acid Gray Top
48 hours
48 hours
N/A
N/A
Urine, Clean Catch
24 hours
N/A
N/A
N/A
Shipping and Handling Instructions
Refrigerate. Preferred that urine is transferred to a gray top tube with boric acid, otherwise transport primary urine collection container refrigerated
Ambulatory Specimen Processing / Transport
Refrigerate. Preferred that urine is transferred to a gray top tube with boric acid, otherwise transport primary urine collection container refrigerated
Causes for Rejection
Specimen not received in boric acid transport from outpatient clinics, excessive delay in transport (more than 24 hours for refrigerated urine container and more than 48 hours for gray top with boric acid for bacterial culture), 24 hour specimens, urine bags, more than one specimen submitted per day, fecal contamination; specimen collected in wrong container; improper storage; leaking specimen; excessive delay in transport.
