Urine Culture

Test Code

Lab239

Alias/See Also

UCUL

CPT Codes
87086

Preferred Specimen

Urine in boric acid (grey top vacutainer)

Minimum Volume

Boric acid vacutainer 2.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Sterile container (not optimal)

Instructions

Collection Instructions:
1. Wash hands thoroughly.
2. Remove towelettes and clean perineal area.

     FEMALE: Separate folds of the labia with thumb and forefinger. Clean exposed area with towelettes, taking care to wipe from front to back.
     Keep cleaned area exposed while urinating.

     MALE: Carefully clean head of penis, pulling back foreskin if necessary.

3. Remove urine container from the bag and unscrew lid. Do not touch inside of container.
4. Begin urination outside the container. As urination continues, bring container into stream. Urinate into container until about half full.
     Remove container from stream of urine and finish urinating in the toilet.
5. Place lid on container without touching the inside of the container.
6. After receipt of urine from the patient, label and process specimen appropriately.

Transport Container

Boric acid vacutainer
Sterile container with no preservative

Transport Temperature

Boric acid vacutainer - ambient
Sterile container with no preservative - refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Specimen in boric acid vacutainer - ambient up to 24 hours, refrigerated 3 days
Unpreserved specimens - ambient 1 hour

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Improper or no label
Improper storage and transport
Specimen leaked in transit
Boric acid vacutainer with < 2.5 mL urine

Methodology
Conventional culture techniques

Setup Schedule

Daily, all shifts

Report Available

2 days

Reference Range

No growth

Clinical Significance

Identification of aerobic and fungal organisms in urine.

Performing Laboratory
Meritus Microbiology

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.