Epic Test Code LAB21014 Urinalysis, Routine with Urine Culture if Positive
Performing Location(s)
BMC,CRH,LFH,HRK,OCH,FTT,FOX, FXCC
Synonyms
Urinalysis; UA
Specimen Type
Clean Catch or Catheterized Urine
Preferred Container
Sterile Urine Collection Container
Minimum Volume to Submit for Testing
5 mL Urine
Storage Requirements
See Causes of Rejection for temperature requirements.
May be refrigerated up to 24 hours
DO NOT USE CHEMICAL PRESERVATIVES
Transportation Needs
Deliver specimen to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection. If not possible see “Storage Requirements”
Causes for Rejection
Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen
Specimen received in container with Chemical Preservatives
>1 hrs room temperature
> 24 hours refrigerated
Quantity insufficient for analysis
Interference by chromogen metabolite from certain antibiotics
Gross Hemolysis
Limitations
All tests may be unreliable if the specimen is grossly bloody or if the color of the urine is markedly affected by metabolites from certain antibiotics.
Glucose sensitivity is affected by concentrations of ascorbate greater than 50 mg/dl causing false negatives when patient samples lie between 75-125 mg/dL glucose.
Ketone bodies (40 mg/dL) may also reduce the sensitivity of the test for specimens containing small amounts of glucose (75-125mg/dL).
Specific gravity may be decreased with highly buffered urines
False positives for protein may be caused by highly buffered urines.
Reference Values
Macroscopic | |||
Parameter | Population | Units | Reference Range |
Color | All populations | None | Colorless, Light Yellow, Yellow, Dark Yellow |
Appearance | All populations | None | Clear |
Specific Gravity | All populations | None | 1.000-1.029 |
pH | All populations | None | 5.0-8.0 |
Protein | All populations | mg/dL | Negative, 10mg/dL, 20mg/dL |
Glucose | All populations | mg/dL | Negative, 30mg/dL, 50mg/dL |
Ketone | All populations | mg/dL | Negative, Trace |
Bilirubin | All populations | None | Negative |
Blood | All populations | None | Negative |
Urobilinogen | All populations | mg/dL | Negative |
Nitrite | All populations | None | Negative |
Leuk Esterase | All populations | None | Negative, Trace |
Microscopic | ||||||
Parameter | Population | Units | Reference Range | |||
RBC's | All populations | #/hpf | 0-2 | |||
WBC's | All populations | #/hpf | 0-2 | |||
Squamous Epithelium | All populations | #/hpf | 0-5 | |||
Transitional Epithelium | All populations | #/hpf | 0-3 | |||
Bacteria | All populations | None | None Seen | |||
Crystals | All populations | #/hpf | None Seen | |||
Hyaline Casts | All populations | #/lpf | 0-5 | |||
All Other Casts | All populations | #/lpf | None Seen | |||
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Reflex Testing
Algorithms used to determine testing and billing:
Urinalysis Testing and billing:
Only a macroscopic analysis (urine dipstick and gross visual inspection) is performed and CPT #81003 is billed if …..
The sample’s appearance is clear, and
The specimen is colorless, yellow or light-yellow ,or dark yellow
the urine Macroscopic analysis does not reveal an abnormality on any of the following dipstick tests:
Blood
Glucose
Leukocyte esterase
Nitrites
Protein
A macroscopic analysis and a urine sediment microscopic examination is performed and CPT #81001 is billed if …..
The sample is turbid or extra turbid …..
The sample is is not yellow, light-yellow, or dark yellow ….
During the Macroscopic (reagent dipstick) analysis an abnormality is detected on any of the following tests:
Blood
Leukocyte esterase
Nitrites
Protein
Urine Culture Testing and billing:(See Culture urine or Microbiology: Urine Culture for requirements):
The Urine Culture will be performed and CPT #87086 will be billed if one out of three is present: positive nitrites, positive leukocyte esterase and/or greater than ten WBC/hpf seen on the microscopic
Days of Analysis
All
Available STAT
Yes
Includes
Reagent dipstick testing for urine glucose, protein, pH, specific gravity, ketones, bilirubin,urobilinogen, blood, nitrite, leukocyte esterase and gross visual examination for appearance and color.
A urine sediment microscopic examination will be performed as determined by the information found in the “Urinalysis Testing and billing” portion of the Reflex Testing Data section, below.
A urine culture will be performed and billed as determined by the information found in the “Urine Culture Testing and billing” portion of the Reflex Testing Data section, below.
Additional Information
Methodology
Urine reagent strip
Automated testing
CPT Code
See Reflex Testing
Last Updated
03-APR-2025 SB