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Test Code M41 Urine Culture

Important Note

The Urine Culture does not include a Gram Stain. If the clinician requests a Gram Stain it must be ordered separately.

Additional Codes

ALAB: URICUL

PowerChart: Culture Urine + Susceptibility

MA Cerner: Urine Culture

Test Method

Manual; Agar Growth and Biochemical Identification

Specimen Requirement

Urine collected using one of the following methods below is required.

Additional Specimen Collection Information

Collection Methods:

  • Catheterized Urine: Collect urine from a urinary catheter into a sterile container. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Tightly seal specimen container and transport immediately to the laboratory. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimen.Refrigerated specimens older than 24 hours will be rejected.
  • Midstream Clean Catch: Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Tightly seal specimen container and transport immediately to the laboratory. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimen. Refrigerated specimens older than 24 hours will be rejected.
  • Males: Expose the glans and cleanse around the meatus with antiseptic towelette. Allow an initial urinary flow to escape, then collect a midstream speicmen in a sterile container. Avoid collection of the last few drops of urine.
  • Females: Separate the labia and cleanse around the urinary meatus with antiseptic towelette, washing from front to back. Keeping the labia separated, instruct the patient to void forcibly. Allow the initial flow to drain into the bedpan or stool, collect the midstream specimen in a sterile container.
  • Infants: Cleanse the genitalia with betadine towelettes. With infant's legs abducted, firmly press adhesive surface of the pediatric collector around the urethra. For females, care must be taken to insure the adhesive adheres to the skin between the vagina and rectum. Check the infant frequently for voiding. After specimen is obtained, remove the collector and transfer the urine to a sterile specimen container.
  • Suprapubic Bladder Tap, Cytoscopy or Urostomy: Transfer the specimen to a sterile specimen container. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and time of collection. Order a separate Anaerobe Culture. Tightly seal specimen container and transport immediately to the laboratory. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimen. Refrigerated specimens older than 24 hours will be rejected.

Performance

Testing performed Monday through Sunday

Typically completed 24 to 48 hours after specimen arrives at the testing site.

Reference Values

Colony Count Negative

The colony count for each organism must be considered as well as the number or organisms present when interpreting urine cultures. All colony counts are rounded to the nearest 10th for reporting purposes or reported as <10,000 organisms/mL. Colony count of each potential pathogen present is reported. The organisms are identified and sensitivities are performed as appropriate. Collection contaminants are also reported when present. On suprapubic bladder tap specimens, anaerobe culture is routinely performed.

CPT Code Information

87086 Identification of Microorganism; Culture, bacterial; quantitative colony count, urine

Useful For

Diagnosis of urinary tract infections

Quantitative culture results may be helpful in discriminating contamination, colonization, and infection.

LOINC Code Information

630-4 Bacteria Identified In Urine By Culture

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