Test Overview
Test Methodology

Quantitative Culture

Test Usage

To isolate and identify organisms causing urinary tract infection

Reference Range *

No growth

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Limitations

Pathogens present in numbers greater than or equal to 100 CFU/mL are reported if isolated. Cultures growing 3 or more potential pathogens will be rejected. Normal skin flora includes: coagulase negative Staphylococcus (unless predominant), alpha and gamma streptococci, Neisseria sp not (N. gonorrhoeae or N. meningitidis), Micrococcus, diphtheroids/Lactobacillus, and Bacillus sp (not B. anthracis). For acceptable specimens, all potential pathogens isolated will be identified. Anaerobic organisms will not be isolated.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Daily
Analytic Time

Preliminary results are reported in 18-24 hours. Negative results are reported after 2 days.

Soft Order Code
URCC
MiChart Code
Suprapubic Urine, Aerobic Culture
Synonyms
  • Aerobic Culture, Suprapubic Urine
  • Bladder Tap Urine, Routine Culture
  • Culture, Urine, Suprapubic, Aerobic
  • ID All Urine Culture
  • Routine Culture, Suprapubic Urine
  • URS
  • SPECIAL URINE CULTURE
Laboratory
Microbiology
Section
Microbiology
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Collect bladder tap, ureter aspirate, or suprapubic aspirate following sterile preparation of aspiration site. For optimum recovery, send immediately. If specimen must be stored, refrigerate immediately after specimen collection. Indicate on the requisition if the patient is renal, nephrology or transplant patient.

Normal Volume
10 mL urine
Minimum Volume
2 mL urine
Storage Temperature
Ambient: Grey top urine transport tube up to 48 hours
Refrigerated: Specimen in sterile tube or container up to 24 hrs.
Frozen: No
Rejection Criteria
Specimen in sterile tube or container older than 24 hrs.
Additional Information

The source must be documented as Suprapubic when order is placed. This urine culture is appropriate for renal, nephrology and transplant patients where low colony count information can be clinically useful. For other patients, request a clean catch urine culture. Test includes culture and Gram stain smear if sufficient specimen is received and Gram stain is requested. Potentially pathogenic organisms will be identified. Test includes susceptibility testing of potentially pathogenic organism(s) at an additional charge unless specifically declined.

Billing
CPT Code
87088
Fee Code
20266