Collection and Processing Urine Samples for Testing
PRINCIPLE:
Dependent upon the test, urine samples must be collected and processed appropriately in order to maintain the integrity and quality of the specimen.
SPECIMEN:
Please refer to table for collection requirements and storage temperatures/times for voided and random urines.
Test | tube type | storage temp | storage time | collection |
Urine culture | Preferred Specimen: Gray Top (C&S preservative) Acceptable Specimen: Plain Red Top (no additive) or Sterile Orange Top Container | Room temp. or 2-8 degrees Celsius Room temp. or 2-8 degrees Celsius | Up to 48 hrs Up to 24 hrs | Clean voided mid-stream |
Urinalysis | Preferred Specimen: Red/Yellow speckled (UA preservative) Acceptable Specimen: Plain Red Top (no additive) or Sterile Orange Top Container | Room temp. or 2-8 degrees Celsius Room temp. 2-8 degrees Celsius | Up to 72 hrs Up to 2 hrs Up to 24 hrs | Freshly voided, 1st morning or post-prandial urine |
S.pneumo/Legionella Antigen | Preferred Specimen: Gray Top (same as for culture) Acceptable Specimen: Plain Red Top (no additive) or Sterile Orange Top Container | Room temp. or 2-8 degrees Celsius Room temp. or 2-8 degrees Celsius | Up to 48 hrs Up to 24 hrs | Clean voided mid-stream |
Microalbumin | Preferred Specimen: Plain yellow top (urinalysis plus urine tube, no additive) Acceptable Specimen: Plain Red Top (no additive) or Sterile Orange Top Container | 2-8 degrees Celsius immediately following collection 2-8 degrees Celsius immediately following collection | Up to 4 days Up to 4 days | Random urine * |
Electropheresis | Preferred Specimen: Plain Red Top (no additive) Acceptable Specimen: Sterile Orange Container | 2-8 degrees Celsius immediately following collection 2-8 degrees Celsius immediately following collection | Up to 4 days Up to 4 days | Random urine * |
Osmolarity, urine | Preferred Specimen: Plain Red Top (no additive) Acceptable Specimen: Sterile Orange Container | 2-8 degrees Celsius immediately following collection 2-8 degrees Celsius immediately following collection | Up to 4 days Up to 4 days | Random urine |
Drug screen Urine | Preferred Specimen: Plain Red Top (no additive) Acceptable Specimen: Sterile Orange Container | 2-8 degrees Celsius immediately following collection 2-8 degrees Celsius immediately following collection | Up to 4 days Up to 4 days | Random urine |
LIMITATIONS:
*If 24-hour urine is ordered please submit the entire 24-hour urine collection