Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the urine collection process for my specimen?

24-Hour Urine Collections: We provide 24-hour urine collection containers. Use the following procedure for correct specimen collection and preparation.

• Warn patient of presence of potentially hazardous preservatives in collection container.
• Instruct patient to discard first-morning specimen and to record time of voiding.
• Patient should collect all subsequent voided urine for remainder of the day and night.
• Collect first-morning specimen on day 2 at same time as noted on day 1.
• Mix well before aliquoting and provide total volume of 24-hour urine collection.

Random Collections: For routine analysis and microscopic evaluation, have patient void into a clean container. Specimen should be capped, labeled, and refrigerated until courier pickup time. A "clean-catch" or midstream specimen is preferred. Patient should first void a small amount of urine which is discarded. Some of the urine should then be collected in a clean container before voiding is completed. If delays are anticipated in sending specimen to the laboratory, a portion of the specimen should be aliquoted into a grey urine culture transport tube (boric acid) should any culture work also be desired or indicated.

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