Procalcitonin, Plasma/Serum - Saskatoon
Discipline
Biochemistry
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Plasma (preferred)
- Serum
Specimen collection container
- Preferred Collection Container: Light Green (Lithium Heparin Gel)
- Alternative Collection Container: Gold (Gel), Red (No Gel)
Required volume
- Optimal Volume: 4.5 mL (Full Collection Tube)
- Minimum Volume: 1 mL
(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection)
Transport and stability
-
24 hours at 20-25°C
-
48 hours at 2-8°C
-
24 months at -20°C
Rejection criteria
- Specimen received where the proper collection protocols were not followed
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Testing Information
Clinical interpretation
- Aids in the early detection of clinically relevant bacterial infections
Performance
Methodology
- Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay
Days/times performed
Availability |
|
Testing Site |
|
Maximum laboratory time
Results Reporting
- In hospital reported within 2 hours
- Community urgent and inter-hospital reported within 4 hours
- Community routine reported within 24 hours
Specimen retention time
- 3 days
Last Updated: October 9, 2024