Medical Necessity Documentation:
Client Notes:
Patient Preparation:
Patient should discontinue taking Biotin, Vitamin B7, or Vitamin H 48 hours before getting blood drawn.
Specimen Requirements:
1.0 mL Plasma from a PST Mint Green Top Tube
Collection Instructions:
Minimum Volume:
0.25 mL Plasma
Transport & Storage: Temperature/Stability:
Separate plasma from cells within 4 hours of collection. Separated plasma can be stored refrigerated for 48 hours; frozen at -20 degrees to -30 degrees for 6 months.
Reference Range:
PCT <=0.5 ng/ml = Low risk for progression to severe systemic infection(severe sepsis/septic shock.
CAUTION: PCT levels below 0.5 ng/ml do not exclude infection, because localized infections (without systemic signs) may be associated with such low levels.
If PCT is measured very early after a bacterial challenge (usually <6 hours), these values may still be low.
In this case, PCT should be re-assessed 6-24 hours later. PCT >0.5 to <=2 ng/ml= Moderate risk for progression to severe systemic infection (severe sepsis/septic shock).
The patient should be closely monitored both clinically and by re-assessing PCT within 6-24 hours. PCT >2 ng/ml = High risk for progression to severe systemic infection (severe sepsis/septic shock).
Critical Ranges:
Test Comments:
Patients taking vitamin supplements containing doses of >5 mg/day may have falsely decreased test results generated.
Methodology:
Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
Clinical Significance:
Used in the diagnosis of bacteremia and septicemia in adults and children (including neonates), renal involvement in urinary tract infection in children, bacterial infection in neutropenic patients, and in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and monitoring of septic shock, systemic secondary infection post-surgery, as well as in severe trauma, burns, and multiorgan failure. Differential diagnosis of bacterial versus viral meningitis. Differential diagnosis of community-acquired bacterial versus viral pneumonia. Monitoring of therapeutic response to antibacterial therapy.
Documentation:
Custom Panel:
No
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Stat Eligible:
Yes
Days Performed:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Sites Performed:
Parkview Dekalb Hospital, Parkview Randallia Hospital, Parkview Regional Medical Center
PHL Test Code:
PCTC
EPIC Test Code:
LAB6905
Alternate Test Names:
PCT; PCTC; Pro Calcitonin; Pro-Calcitonin; Sepsis
Included Tests:
CPT Coding:
84145