Test directory: Urine Culture

Ordering Code626
Test NameUrine Culture
AliasUTI Culture
Urine Colony Count
Preferred SpecimenUrine (clean-catch, midstream)
Preferred ContainerBD Urine Culture Transport Tube (Gray)
Other Specimen/ContainerUrine in sterile container; Special collections (cytoscopy, ileal conduit, nephrostomy, suprapubic aspirate)
Optimum VolumeUrine in Sterile Container: 10 mL
Urine in BD Urine Culture Transport Tube (Gray): 4.5 mL
BD Urine Culture Transport tube must be filled to the minimum draw line indicated on the tube label.
Collection InstructionsMid-stream, clean catch, first morning specimen or catheterized specimens are preferred. Indicate method of collection on requisition. Note: specially collected urines (Cystoscopic and Suprapubic collections) are handled differently from clean catch collected specimens.
Handling InstructionsUrine in Sterile Container:
Refrigerate specimen immediately
Urine in BD Urine Culture Transport Tube (Gray):
Transfer 3.0-4.0 mL of specimen to the 13x75 mm BD Urine
Culture Transport Tube (Gray) within 2 hours of specimen collection. If less than 3.5 mL of specimen is available, DO NOT use the BD Transport tube. If transfer cannot occur within 2 hours, refrigerate specimen.
Transport RequirementsUrine in Sterile Container:
Oahu: Refrigerated
Airline: Refrigerated
Urine in BD Urine Culture Transport Tube (Gray):
Oahu: Ambient
Airline: Ambient
Specimen StabilityUrine in Sterile Container:
Ambient: 2 Hours
Refrigerated: 24 Hours
Urine in BD Urine Culture Transport Tube (Gray):
Ambient: 48 Hours
Refrigerated: 48 Hours
Rejection CriteriaFrozen, Pooled specimen, Peds and other bagged specimens,
Urine received ambient and NOT in BD Urine Culture transport tube, Specimen older than stability limits, Foley catheter tip, Non-sterile container, Syringe with needle attached
NOTE: Specimens with rejection concerns that cannot be recollected (e.g. cystoscopic urine) will be processed upon receipt and the ordering physician consulted.
Avail. StatNO
Analytic TimeUp to 2 Days
Preliminary report at 24 hours. Additional time is required for identification &/or susceptibility if culture is significantly positive.
MethodologyVisual examination for bacterial growth on non-selective and selective media, including colony count.

Reference range(s)

ComponentAgeMale NormMale Critical LowMale Critical HighFemale NormFemale Critical HighFemale Critical LowUnitsAdd'l info
Collection Method:ALLSee report.
Report Status:ALLSee report.
CultureALLNO GROWTHNO GROWTH