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Procalcitonin (PCT)*

Important Note

*This test is orderable in Cerner as Procalcitonin

Testing Recommendations:

The Procalcitonin test is intended for use in conjunction with other laboratory findings and clinical assessments to aid in the risk assessment of patients for progression to severe sepsis and septic shock. The evaluation of the BRAHMS PCT assay results must be taken into consideration along with the patient’s history and the results of any other tests performed. If discrepancies are found between the laboratory results and the clinical signs, additional tests should be performed.

Performing Laboratory

Rutland Regional Medical Center Laboratory

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type:
Container/Tube:

Preferred:   Light-green top (lithium heparin gel or green-yellow)

Specimen Fill Volume: Whole tube.

Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL

Day(s) Performed

Daily

Analytical Time:

1 hour from specimen arrival

Methodology

Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay

Test Classification and CPT Coding

CPT: 84145

Order Code: RMCPROCALC

Result Name / Result Code / Result LOINC:

PCT / RMCL802093 / 33959-8

PCT Interp / RMCL802316 /

Normal Reference Values

 

PCT Concentration

 

 

PCT Interpretations

 

 

Risk or Options for Further Action

 

 

PCT ≤ 0.5 ng/ml

 

 

Low risk for progression to severe systemic infection (severe sepsis/septic shock). Local bacterial infection is possible.

 

 

CAUTION: PCT levels below 0.5 ng/ml do not exclude an infection, because localized infections 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 and ≤ 2 ng/ml

 

 

Moderate risk for progression to severe systemic infection (severe sepsis/septic shock), but other conditions are known to elevate PCT as well

 

 

The patient should be closely monitored both clinically and by re-assessing PCT within 6-24 hours.

 

 

PCT > 2 ng/ml and < 10 ng/ml

 

 

High risk for progression to severe systemic infection (severe sepsis/septic shock) unless other causes are known

 

 

Systemic infection (sepsis) is likely, unless other causes are known.

 

 

PCT ≥ 10 ng/ml

 

 

High likelihood of severe sepsis or septic shock

 

 

Important systemic inflammatory response, almost exclusively due to severe bacterial sepsis or septic shock.

 

 

 

Specimen Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Critical Values

None