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Test Code PROCAL Procalcitonin, Serum

Additional Codes

  • Expanse Test Name: Procalcitonin,S
  • Medinet Ref Code:PROCAL
  • OV Code:CHEM*PROCAL

Performing Laboratory

St. Luke's Hospital Laboratory

Specimen Requirements

Serum and plasma (EDTA, lithium heparin, and sodium heparin) acceptable. 

Draw 1 serum SST (yellow top) tube.  Spin down and send 1 mL serum to the laboratory refrigerated.  Specimens are stable at refrigerated temperature for 48 hours.  Samples that will not arrive to the laboratory within 48 hours should be frozen.

 

Unspun samples must be transported at ambient temperature and arrive to the laboratory within one hour of draw.

Reference Values

Negative: ≤0.15ng/mL

Possible Localized Infection: 0.5-2 ng/mL

Likely Infection:  >2 ng/mL

Sepsis: >10ng/mL

Test Classification and CPT Coding

CPT: 84145

LOINC: 33959-8

Useful For

Procalcitonin is intended for use in conjunction with other laboratory findings and clinical assessments to aid in the risk assessment of bacteremia and septicemia in adults and children.

 

Procalcitonin can also be used to aid in the diagnosis of bacterial infections in neutropenic patients, in differentiating bacterial versus viral meningitis, and in monitoring the therapeutic response to antibacterial therapy.

Day(s) Test Performed

Monday through Sunday

Method Name

Chemiluminesence