cup, urine vacutainer, urine tube with preservative)
Urine
2.0 mL
Transport Temperature
Room temperature (20–25°C) ≤2 hrs OR Refrigerated (2–8°C) ≤24 hrs
Storage Stability
2 hrs at room temperature; up to 24 hrs refrigerated
Transport Conditions
Place specimen in a sealed biohazard bag and transport promptly to the molecular department
Processing
Mix gently before aliquoting; avoid freeze-thaw cycles
Frozen
REFRIGERATED
Mon-Sat
Next Day
qPCR
Molecular
(RML)
Test
Antibiotic therapy prior to collection
May reduce bacterial DNA quantity; collect before or ≥24 hrs after antibiotic initiation if possible.
Use of urine preservatives (e.g., boric acid)
May inhibit PCR enzymes; use plain sterile containers only.
Improper cleaning prior to collection
Can introduce contaminant DNA and yield false-positive results.
Delayed transport without refrigeration
Can cause nucleic acid degradation and false negatives.
Collection Instructions
Midstream Clean-Catch Urine Collection:
Instruct the patient to wash hands and clean the urethral area with antiseptic wipes (front to back for females).
Allow the first portion of urine to flow into the toilet.
Collect 10–50 mL of midstream urine directly into a sterile container.
Cap tightly immediately after collection, avoiding contact with the rim or lid interior.
Confirm all patient identifiers and collection information on both the label and requisition.
Catheterized Urine Collection:
Clean the sampling port of the catheter with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Clamp the tubing approximately 3–4 inches below the port for 15–30 minutes to collect urine.
Using a sterile syringe and needle, withdraw 10–20 mL of urine through the port.
Transfer urine into a sterile screw-cap container, ensuring no contamination.
Label immediately with complete patient information.
87798
3970
