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PROCALCITONIN
MessageCHEMISTRY
Test Code
PROCAL
CPT Codes
84145
Preferred Specimen
SERUM
Minimum Volume
1mLs
Instructions
DRAW 1 RED TOP TUBE, LET CLOT FOR 30 MINUTES, SPIN DOWN, SEPARATE INTO PLASTIC TUBE AND SEND TO LAB.
Transport Container
PLASTIC TUBE
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated serum <48hrs. If sample will arrive >48hours, serum must be frozen.
Specimen Stability
8 hrs room temp, 2 days refrigerated, 14 days frozen
Setup Schedule
DAILY
Report Available
DAILY
Reference Range
<0.1 Bacterial infection highly unlikely. Consider alternative diagnosis
0.1 - 0.25 Bacterial infection unlikely. Consider alternative diagnosis
0.26 - 0.5 Bacterial infection likely
>0.5 Bacterial infection highly likely
0.1 - 0.25 Bacterial infection unlikely. Consider alternative diagnosis
0.26 - 0.5 Bacterial infection likely
>0.5 Bacterial infection highly likely
Clinical Significance
<0.1: Bacterial infection highly unlikely. Consider alternative diagnosis
0.1-0.25: Bacterial infection unlikely. Consider alternative diagnosis
0.26-0.5: Bacterial infection likely
>0.5: Bacterial infection highly likely
Consider reassessment of PCT within 6 to 24 hours in:
1. All patients in whom antibiotics are withheld but who show clinical deterioration
2. High risk patients with an initial PCT <0.25 ng/mL.
In patients in whom antibiotics are initiated, PCT levels may be reassessed every 2 days until PCT decreases to <0.25 mg/L (or by at least 80% to 90% from the peak level)
Falsely high/low levels of PCT
Falsely high PCT: Examples include severe SIRS and shock, ARDS, trauma, postoperative, tumor (eg, medullary thyroid cancer, SCLC), fungal infection, malaria
Falsely low PCT: Examples include chronic abscesses e.g. empyema; atypical bacteria and mycobacterial infections
0.1-0.25: Bacterial infection unlikely. Consider alternative diagnosis
0.26-0.5: Bacterial infection likely
>0.5: Bacterial infection highly likely
Consider reassessment of PCT within 6 to 24 hours in:
1. All patients in whom antibiotics are withheld but who show clinical deterioration
2. High risk patients with an initial PCT <0.25 ng/mL.
In patients in whom antibiotics are initiated, PCT levels may be reassessed every 2 days until PCT decreases to <0.25 mg/L (or by at least 80% to 90% from the peak level)
Falsely high/low levels of PCT
Falsely high PCT: Examples include severe SIRS and shock, ARDS, trauma, postoperative, tumor (eg, medullary thyroid cancer, SCLC), fungal infection, malaria
Falsely low PCT: Examples include chronic abscesses e.g. empyema; atypical bacteria and mycobacterial infections
Performing Laboratory
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION VT VA- CHEMISTRY 802-295-9363 EXT:5518, 5519
