Specimen Requirements

Preparation of Patient: 

None.

Specimen Collection Instructions:

1. It is recommended you begin the 24 hour urine collection in the morning.
2. At the time you choose to start the collection, urinate into the toilet and flush as usual.  DO NOT SAVE this urine in the jug.  Record this start date and time on the jug label.
3. For the next 24 hours collect all urine and add to the jug.  Do not urinate directly into the jug if a preservative has been added.
4. All urine is needed for accurate testing.  If you fill the jug, continue the collection into any clean, dry, leak proof container.  Call the labroatory for instructions if you have omitted or spilled any urine 231-935-6100 prompt 4.
5. Keep the jug refrigerated during the entire collection.  Refrigerate or store in a cooler with ice.
6. Exactly 24 hours after th start time, urinate and ADD this last urine sample to the jug.  Record this end date and time on the jug label.  Collection is completed.
7. Within 3 hours or less of completing the collection, deliver the jug and your lab order to the laboratory (preferably a hospital laboratory).  Keep the jub cool during transport.

Container Type: 

24 Hour Urine Container without preservative or with 6N HCL

or

White Top 6mL No Additive Tube

Specimen Type:

24 hour Urine without preservative

Specimen Volume: 

24 hour Urine minimum .5 mL

Note:  Total volume must be recorded on container

Specimen Handling/Transport:

Transport refrigerated 2 - 8°C.

MHC Labroatories:  Mix urine and aliquot into White Top 6ml No Additive Tube via urine transfer straw. Record total volume on container label. Transport refrigerated 2-8°C.

Specimen Stability/Storage:

5  days refrigerated 2-8°C

Specimen Rejection:

Samples in preservatives other than 6N HCL