Procalcitonin | KK Women's and Children's Hospital

Specimen Container	Gel separator tube (adult) Microtube (paed)
Specimen Requirement	Plain Blood Adult: 3 mL Paediatric: 1.3 mL Invert blood 5 times after blood collection ensures the clot-activating factors is well mixed with the blood. This will ensure results are reliable.
Orderable as Urgent?	Yes
Turn Around Time	Up to 2 hrs
Reference Value(s)	PCT <0.50 ug/L suggests a low risk of severe systemic infection (sepsis) but cannot exclude any infection. PCT 0.50 to <2.00 ug/L may require repeat testing in 6 to 24hrs if sepsis is clinically suspected. PCT 2.00 to <10.00 ug/L suggests a high risk of sepsis or progression in sepsis. PCT >=10.00 ug/L indicates high likelihood of severe sepsis.
Testing Laboratory Location	KKH
Laboratory	Clinical Chemistry
Contact Number	6394 1383
Day and Time Performed	Daily, 24hrs
Orderable on CPOE?	Yes
Downtime Form	Clinical Chemistry - Form A
Additional Information	Change of analytical platform on 16/06/2021. Immunoassay measurements can be subjected to interference from cross-reacting substances in the patient's blood. If the result does not agree with the clinical picture, please contact the laboratory for further action.

Change History Notes

12 Oct 2021 11:20 AM

Updated specimen requirement, Turn Around Time and Additional Information.

Last Updated - 05 Apr 2025