Urine specimens are collected for culture and for cytologic examination to detect malignancy. Separate specimens should be collected if both culture and cytologic examination are required.

Specimen Collection for Culture

1. Unwanted contamination of the urinary stream by the external genitalia should be minimized by first cleaning the genitalia with the cleaning towelette provided in the specimen collection kit.
2. The specimen should be mid-stream, i.e., the patient should urinate, and then without interrupting the urinary stream, collect the mid-portion of the stream in the specimen container.
3. The specimen should be collected in a sterile container and refrigerated if there is a delay in delivery to the laboratory.

Specimen Collection for Cytologic Examination

1. Because urine contains chemicals that alter the epithelial cells, a good specimen is dependent upon a dilute specimen and prompt fixation.
2. Collect the specimen on the day that it will be sent to the laboratory. Do not collect on a weekend or a public holiday.
3. Instruct the patient to discard the first morning urine specimen , and then drink six cups of fluid (water, juice, coffee, tea) before collecting the specimen.
4. The specimen should be collected in the office instead of the patient’s home, to ensure that the specimen is as fresh as possible.
5. Collect the specimen in a screw-top container and secure lid to prevent leakage.
6. The specimen container should be less than half full but the specimen should at least be 20 cc in volume.
7. Add an equal volume of 50 percent alcohol (ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol) to the specimen to preserve the cells.
8. Refrigerate the specimen if there is a delay in delivery to the laboratory.
9. Complete the Calpath requisition form per instructions.

After collecting the specimen, please do the following:

• Place the specimen in the Calpath specimen bag.
• Place the requisition form in the side slot of the Calpath specimen bag.
• Call Calpath for a pick-up or place the Calpath specimen bag in the location where our courier usually picks up your daily specimens.