Urine Colony Count Procedure
Document #16/version #03
Effective Date: 02/14/01
URINE COLONY COUNT
Principle
Uricult is a simple, self-contained urine method for the detection of
various types of bacteria that commonly cause urinary tract infections
(UTI). UTIs occur when bacteria invade different areas on the urinary
tract. An infection may move upward from the urethra to the bladder, then
on to the kidney. UTIs include localized infections in any particular site
within the urinary tract. Specific terms for describing these localized
infections are pyelonephritis (kidney), cystitis (bladder), prostatitis
(prostate), and urethritis (urethra).
When Uricult is used, test results can show the presence or absence of
potential urinary pathogens in a tested urine sample. The approximate
concentration of bacteria in each milliliter (ml) of urine can be evaluated
as well.
Sample
Specimen Collection Handling and Storage
Identification
A mid-stream, clean
catch specimen is recommended. At
The specimen should be Specimens should be
least 1.0 ml is needed.
inoculated onto the
labeled with the client's
Uricult paddle
computer label.
immediately following
collection.
Ideally, urine for culture The specimen should be
analysis should be
refrigerated at 2-8ºC if it
incubated in the bladder cannot be inoculated
for four hours prior to
within thirty (30)
collection. However,
minutes of collection
any urine specimen is
(up to twenty-four (24)
suitable for testing.
hours).
Urine specimens are
collected in any clean,
sterile, dry,
plastic container.
Materials
Equipment
 Incubator (35-37ºC)
Reagents

Columbus County Health Department Laboratory, Whiteville, NC 28472
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Supplies
Uricult® Urine
Culture-Paddle®
labeled with the
appropriate patient
identifiers Uricult
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Urine Colony Count Procedure
Document #16/version #03
Effective Date: 02/14/01
 Reference Chart
(supplied by the
manufacture in
each box of
Uricult® Urine
Culture-Paddles®).
Quality
Control
Step
1
2
3
4
Action
Upon arrival, 2 vials from each box of Uricult® Urine CulturePaddles® should be examined following the guidelines specified
in the Uricult section on the New Media Log. All results from
this evaluation must be recorded in the New Media Log.
One package insert from each shipment must be retained and filed
in the New Media Log. If different lot numbers of Uricult® Urine
Culture-Paddle® are received in the same shipment, then one
package insert from each lot should be retained. The package
insert should be stamped with the received date and time.
Any deficiencies found during the QC inspection will result in the
Uricult® Urine Culture-Paddles® failing. MTC Technical
Services at 1-800-526-2125 or 1-908-246-3366 should be notified
for resolution of any problems. Do not use test patient samples if
the Uricult® Urine Culture-Paddle® fail QC. All corrective
action must be documented in the New Media Log
Do not use product beyond expiration date.
Test
Procedure
Step
1
2
3
4
5
6
Action
Identify patient specimen to patient requisition.
Specimens should be inoculated immediately following
collection.
Unscrew and remove the Uricult® Urine Culture-Paddle®
from its protective vial. Handle the paddle only by its cap. Do
not touch the exposed media surfaces.
Dip the Uricult® Urine Culture-Paddle® into the urine
sample to totally immerse the media surfaces. If the volume
of the urine specimen is insufficient to immerse the paddle, a
plastic transfer pipette may be used to pour the urine
specimen over the media surfaces. Avoid touching the plastic
transfer pipette to the surface of the media.
Allow excess urine to drain from the paddle. Any residual
drops may be blotted from the plastic paddle tip on absorbent
paper avoiding contact between the media surfaces and the
absorbent paper.
Insert the paddle into its protective vial and screw down
lightly to allow air to circulate inside the vial.
Columbus County Health Department Laboratory, Whiteville, NC 28472
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Urine Colony Count Procedure
Document #16/version #03
Effective Date: 02/14/01
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Interpretation

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Label sealed, inoculated vial with proper patient identifiers.
Immediately place sealed, labeled plastic vial in an incubator
at (35-37ºC) for 18-24 hours
Discard contaminated materials and specimens in an
appropriate biohazardous container.
At the end of the incubation period, check the agar surfaces on both sides
of the Uricult® Urine Culture-Paddle® for bacterial colony growth.
Use the non-selective media (CLED) side of the Uricult® Urine CulturePaddle® for the colony count.
Compare the bacterial colony growth on the Uricult paddle with the
colony density chart provided by Orion Diagnostica. The colony density
chart is included in each box of Uricult® Urine Culture-Paddles®.
Report the bacterial colony growth indicated by colony count in CFU/ml
as:
a)
<10 (to the 3rd power) = 1000
b)
>10 (to the 4th power) = 10,000
c)
10 (to the 5th power) = 100,000
d)
10 (to the 6th power) = 1,000,000
e)
10 (to the 7th power) = 10,000,000 “confluent growth”
Record the results on the lab log and enter into EMR.
Procedure notes
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References
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A first morning voided specimen is recommended whenever possible.
Patients on antibiotic therapy may have a lowered colony count.
Urine that has not been incubated in the bladder for at least four hours may
cause a falsely decreased colony count.
Specimens that have remained at room temperature for more than 30
minutes may cause a falsely increased colony count
The inoculated paddle may be used as transport media to forward the
bacterial specimen to a laboratory for definitive identification.
Specimens collected outside of the CCHD will not be accepted.
Urine specimens may be stored up to 24 hours at 4°C in a closed sterile
container before inoculation. Allow specimens to warm to room
temperature and mix well before inoculating the Uricult urine culture
paddles.
Incubation for more than 24 hours may allow reactions to occur that may
cause a misinterpretation of the bacterial colony growth.
Manufacturer’s Product Insert for Uricult CLED/EMB Culture Paddle.
Murray, Baron, Jorgensen, Pfaller, and Yolken, Manual of Clinical
Microbiology
Columbus County Health Department Laboratory, Whiteville, NC 28472
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Urine Colony Count Procedure
Document #16/version #03
Related Documents
Effective Date: 02/14/01

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Document #1, Urine Collection Procedure.
Policy #2, Specimen Rejection Policy.
Policy #14, EMR Policy.
Author
Karen H. Wall, BSMT (ASCP), Technical Consultant
Approval
Signature
_____________________________
Name
Columbus County Health Department Laboratory, Whiteville, NC 28472
_____________
Date
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