It is important that accurate collections are made of all the urine passed in the two 24 hour periods.

Please ensure that the urine containers you have been given have the correct information on the labels. If your details have not been recorded, please write you name, hospital number (if you know it) and GP or Hospital name on the label.

One of the containers will contain a preservative. This urine container will be clearly marked with a warning label - please read the warning label carefully. Do not pour out any liquid or powder that may already be in the urine container.  

You may find it more convenient to pass urine into the smaller container provided and transfer the urine into the larger collection containers. 

Refrigerate the urines at all times during the collection period or keep in a cool place.

Procedure  

First 24-Hour Urine Collection (Container with Preservative)

When you get up on the first morning of the collection, empty your bladder completely into the lavatory. Do not collect this sample. Write the exact date and time on the urine container label under the heading 'COLLECTION START'.

Collect all the urine passed after this time into the urine container provided. All urine passed during the 24 hours (day and night) must be saved. Urine passed during bowel movements must also be collected.

At exactly the same time the following morning, empty your bladder again (first time after you get up in the morning) and add this sample to the collection container. This is the last sample to be included in the container with preservative. Write the exact date and time on the urine container label under the heading 'COLLECTION FINISH'.

Second 24-Hour Urine Collection (Container with no Preservative)

Write the exact date and time of the first urine of the day on the urine container label under the heading 'COLLECTION START'. This first urine is the same specimen you have just included in the first container with preservative.

Collect all urine passed after this time into the second container with no preservative. All urine passed during the 24 hours (day and night) must be saved, including urine passed during bowel movements.

The following morning, empty your bladder again (first time after you get up in the morning) and add this sample to the second container with no preservative. Write the exact date and time on the urine container label under the heading 'COLLECTION FINISH'.

Take the two 24 hour urine collections as soon as possible to the Pathology Department at Basildon, Orsett or St. Andrew's Hospital or to your GP's surgery. 

Last edited 07/08/08