Order Code LABPCALC Procalcitonin, Plasma or Serum
Useful For
Diagnosis of bacteremia and septicemia in adults and children
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type: Plasma (Preferred) or Serum
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Green-top (lithium heparin) gel tube
Acceptable: Plain, red-top tube or SST
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Pediatric (minimum) volume: 0.5 mL
Specimen Stability
Specimen Type | Temperature | Stability |
Plasma or Serum | Ambient | 24 hours |
Refrigerated | 48 hours | |
Frozen | 2 months |
Reference Range
Reported Reference Range: 0.0 - 0.5 ng/mL
- < 0.5 ng/mL represents a low risk of severe sepsis and/or septic shock
- > 2.0 ng/mL represents a high risk of severe sepsis and/or septic shock
Different assay methods may not be used interchangeably due to differences in assay methods and reagent specificity. The results reported by the laboratory to the physician include the identity of the PCT assay used.
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through Sunday
Performing Laboratory
Ridgeview Medical Center Laboratory
Methodology
Immunometric