Test directory: Urine Culture

Ordering Code 626
Test Name Urine Culture
Alias UTI Culture
Urine Colony Count
Preferred Specimen Urine (clean-catch, midstream)
Preferred Container BD Urine Culture Transport Tube (Gray)
Other Specimen/Container Urine in sterile container; Special collections (cytoscopy, ileal conduit, nephrostomy, suprapubic aspirate)
Optimum Volume Urine 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 Instructions Mid-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 Instructions Urine 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 Requirements Urine in Sterile Container:
Oahu: Refrigerated
Airline: Refrigerated
Urine in BD Urine Culture Transport Tube (Gray):
Oahu: Ambient
Airline: Ambient
Specimen Stability Urine in Sterile Container:
Ambient: 2 Hours
Refrigerated: 24 Hours
Urine in BD Urine Culture Transport Tube (Gray):
Ambient: 48 Hours
Refrigerated: 48 Hours
Rejection Criteria External collection device (e.g. Purewick), Pooled specimen,
Non-Clean Catch, Peds and other bagged specimens,
Condom catheter, Frozen, Urine received ambient and NOT in
BD Urine Culture Transport Tube, Specimen older than stability limits, Foley catheter tip, Non-sterile container
Avail. Stat NO
Analytic Time Up to 2 Days
Preliminary report at 24 hours. Additional time is required for identification &/or susceptibility if culture is significantly positive.
Methodology Visual examination for bacterial growth on non-selective and selective media, including colony count.

Reference range(s)

Component Age Male Norm Male Critical Low Male Critical High Female Norm Female Critical High Female Critical Low Units Add'l info
Collection Method: ALL See report.
Report Status: ALL See report.
Culture ALL NO GROWTH NO GROWTH