0020763
print

Procalcitonin

PCT
Example Reports
Abnormal
Normal

Icon

Additional Technical Information

Ordering Recommendation

Use to assess risk of progression to severe sepsis and septic shock in the intensive care unit (ICU).This test may also be used to determine 28-day mortality risk for individuals with septic shock or severe sepsis in acute settings, as an aid in determining whether antibiotic treatment may be discontinued in individuals with confirmed or suspected sepsis, or to aid in antibiotic therapy decision-making for individuals with confirmed or suspected lower respiratory tract infections in inpatient or emergency settings. Use in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum separator tube (SST), K2EDTA, K3EDTA, or li heparin plasma.

Specimen Preparation

Allow serum specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Separate serum or plasma from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP standard transport tube. (Min: 0.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Frozen

Unacceptable Conditions

Hemolyzed specimens. Specimens stabilized with azide.

Remarks
Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: 48 hours; Frozen: 1 year

Methodology

Quantitative Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay (ECLIA)

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

Within 24 hours

Reference Interval

<=0.08 ng/mL

Interpretive Data

ICU Admission Risk Assessment: On the first day of ICU admission, procalcitonin concentrations above 2.00 ng/mL represent a high risk for progression to severe sepsis and/or septic shock. Procalcitonin concentrations below 0.50 ng/mL on the first day of ICU admission represent a low risk for progression to severe sepsis and/or septic shock.  Concentrations below 0.50 ng/mL do not exclude an infection. Increased procalcitonin concentrations can occur without infection. Use in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings.

This test may also be used to determine 28-day mortality risk for individuals with septic shock or severe sepsis in acute settings, as an aid in determining whether antibiotic treatment may be discontinued in individuals with confirmed or suspected sepsis, or to aid in antibiotic therapy decision-making for individuals with confirmed or suspected lower respiratory tract infections in inpatient or emergency settings.

For more information about procalcitonin test result interpretation, refer to arupconsult.com/ati/procalcitonin.

Compliance Category

FDA

Note

Hotline History

View Hotline History

 

Hotline History

Date of Change
Test Name Change
Methodology
Performance/Reported Schedule
Specimen Requirements
Reference Interval
Interpretive Data
Note
CPT Code
Component Change
Other Interface Change
New Test
Inactive
04/21/2025
X
X
X
X
X
X
05/20/2024
X
X
X
N/A

CPT Codes

84145

Are you an ARUP Client? Click here for your pricing.

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0020764 Procalcitonin 33959-8
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • PCT
  • Sepsis
Procalcitonin