Procalcitonin, Plasma/Serum - Saskatoon

Specimen Information

Specimen types accepted

• ​Plasma (preferred)
• Serum

Specimen collection container

• Preferred Collection Container​: Light Green (Lithium Heparin Gel)
• Alternative Collection Container: Gold (Gel), Red (No Gel)

Required volume

• Optimal Volume: 4.5 mL (Full Collection Tube)
• Minimum Volume: 1 mL

(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection)

• Pediatric Volume

Transport and stability

• 24 hours at 20-25°C
• 48 hours at 2-8°C
• 24 months at -20°C

Rejection criteria

• Specimen received where the proper collection protocols were not followed​
• Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria

Testing Information

Clinical interpretation

• ​Aids in the early detection of clinically relevant bacterial infections

Performance

Methodology

• Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay​

Days/times performed

Availability	24 hours a day​
Testing site	RUH

 

Maximum laboratory time

Results reporting

• In hospital reported within 2 hours
• Community urgent and inter-hospital reported within 4 hours
• Community routine reported within 24 hours​

Specimen retention time

• 3 days

Last Updated: March 19, 2026