Collection of a sample of urine/urine specimen

Collection of a sample of urine or urine specimen should be done with utmost care. Because the collection method of urine affects the result of urine analysis. Amount of urine, timing of collection and type of sample are some facts that should be considered when collecting a sample of urine or urine specimen. Followings are some facts regarding collection of urine;

Type of urine sample

Usually the sample size is about 10 ml unless it is a 24 hour urine collection.

• early morning urine sample – collected from the first void
• Double voided urine sample – collected about 1-2 hours after the first void
• random urine sample – collected at any time of day
• spot urine - a sample of urine collected at the same time as blood.

Collection of Timed urine sample
Timed urine sample is a sample of urine collected over a calculated time period or all the urine passed within a stipulated time period is collected. The commonest is a 24-hour collection of urine. A prior appointment may be needed from the laboratory.

Steps- collection of a sample of urine/urine specimen

• Obtain a container from the laboratory to collect urine. The container will have a preservative; do not wash it off. If a preservative is not recommended, the sample needs to be refrigerated during the collection period.
• Empty the bladder fully, discarding the urine – (usually at about 7 am) and note the time.
• Collect all the urine passed until the same time the next day (i.e 7 am on following day) into the container issued by the laboratory. (The patient may use a separate clean bowl to collect and transfer the urine sample in to the given container.)
• The final sample is passed at 7 am (in above example) and is collected into the container.
• Label the container (name, age sex, name of test, start time, finish time, date)
• Hand over the sample to the laboratory without delay.
• If a clearance test has been ordered (eg. Creatinine clearance), a blood sample too will be collected on submitting the urine sample.