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Procalcitonin

Collection Restrictions

Do not order on neonates within the first 3 days of life

Collection Requirements

Source: blood

Container:

  • Preferred: Lithium heparin mint green gel
  • Acceptable: Red gel

Volume: 1 mL in vacutainer

Special Instructions

This test requires an indication for testing when ordering. Options:

  • Sepsis (<60 days old)
  • Sepsis (>60 days old)
  • Pneumonia
  • Fever
  • Other (specify in the order comment)

Turn Around Time

STAT: 1 hour
Routine: 2-4 hours

Availability

STAT
Routine

Lab Processing Instructions

Specimen: serum or plasma

Spin, separate, refrigerate

Performing Laboratory

Adele Hall

Adele Hall Lab Section

Chemistry

Instrumentation/Methodology

Vitros

Additional Information

The Office of Evidence-Based Practice reviewed the use of procalcitonin in pediatric patients for sepsis and community-acquired pneumonia. These reviews provide valuable insights to guide decision-making on the utility of procalcitonin and assist in the accurate interpretation of results.

 

Procalcitonin in Sepsis and Bacterial Infection

Procalcitonin in Bacterial Pneumonia

Reference Ranges

0.000-0.250 ng/mL

CPT

84145