PRCAL – “Procalcitonin”

Update to performing laboratory, specimen requirements, stability, methodology, reference range, turnaround time, and performed days.

Collect: Red top

Specimen Preparation:  Allow sample to clot 15-20 minutes. Centrifuge serum at 2000 rpm for 10 minutes and within 1 hour of collection, immediately transfer 2.0 mL serum into a screw capped plastic vial.

Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL 

Transport Temperature: Frozen

Alternate Specimen: Plasma: Green lithium or sodium heparin, lavender EDTA

Stability:

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: 28 days

Methodology: Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) 

Reference Range:

Ages                              ng/mL
At birth                        <2.00
18 – 20 hours            <20.00
48 hours                     <5.00
>48 hours                   <0.10

Turnaround Time: 3 – 4 days

Performed: Sunday – Friday

Performing Laboratory: Quest SJC