Voided Urine Specimens. A mid morning sample following hydration of the patient is required. Do not collect the first (morning) void of the day. Cells held overnight in the bladder degrade making interpretation difficult.
Important Note: 24 hour urine collections and catheter collection bags are unacceptable specimens for Cytological examination. Bacterial overgrowth and cell degeneration make these specimens uninterpretable.
1, 2 or 3 DAY URINE CYTOLOGY
The number of collections required will be determined by the doctor and should be indicated on the request form. Where 2 or 3 seperate collections are requested these do not need occur on consecutive days.
When to Collect: DO NOT collect the first urine passed in the morning. This is not suitable.
The patient should drink 2 -3 glasses of water and collect the next urine passed.
There is no need to fast. Eat and drink as normal. Tea, coffee or juice do not effect the results of this test.
How to Collect: Only 50 ml of the urine passed needs to be collected. Fill the container to three quarters. Close the container by screwing the yellow lid on tightly. Take care to ensure the lid is threaded correctly.
Label Each Container: Ensure the patients full name and date of birth are on each container. The date & time of collection must also be written on the container. If collected on seperate days Label as Day1, Day 2 or Day 3 in order of collection.
How to Store the Specimens: Place the urine containers into a plastic specimen bag. Store in a cool place (refrigerate) until the urine can be returned to the Alfred Pathology Collection Centre. Specimens are best returned each day but can be refrigerated and returned all together on the last day if collected on consecutive days. Samples must be delivered before 2pm. The Collection Centre is open Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm.
Click here for Patient Information Sheet - Urine Cytology Collection (English)
Click here for Patient Information Sheet - Urine Cytology Collection (Russian)
Click here for Patient Information Sheet Urine Cytology Collection (Greek)
CATHETER URINE
Urine must not be obtained directly from the catheter bag as cells will be degenerate. Collect urine by syringe from the catheter tubing which has been temporarily clipped off. Only x1 sample (15 ml) is required from a catheter specimen. Due to the cellular changes present in a Catheter sample it is essential that the nature of the collection is recorded on the request form or container.
BLADDER LAVAGE & POST CYSTOSCOPY URINE
Cellular changes in these type of urine sample make it essential that information regarding the bladder lavage and cystoscopy be documented on the Pathology request form. This information is essential for accurate interpretation of the cytological findings. |