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Tips For Urine Analysis: Max/Min Fill Line

The document discusses urine sample collection and storage methods. It recommends using BD Vacutainer Plus Plastic Conical Urinalysis Preservative Tubes for urine sample collection and storage as specimen integrity is maintained for up to 72 hours without refrigeration. The tubes contain preservatives that allow testing within 72 hours of collection without refrigeration, addressing issues that arise from transporting samples to remote laboratories.

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186 views2 pages

Tips For Urine Analysis: Max/Min Fill Line

The document discusses urine sample collection and storage methods. It recommends using BD Vacutainer Plus Plastic Conical Urinalysis Preservative Tubes for urine sample collection and storage as specimen integrity is maintained for up to 72 hours without refrigeration. The tubes contain preservatives that allow testing within 72 hours of collection without refrigeration, addressing issues that arise from transporting samples to remote laboratories.

Uploaded by

madhu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TechTalk

Volume 2, No. 1

January 2003

Authors: Lorraine Tyndall, Shrita Smith

The BD Technical Services Department receives


many questions about our products. To address
these questions we have developed a news bulletin
called Tech Talk to be sent out periodically.

Tips for Urine Analysis

Q:
A:

We cannot guarantee that urine samples are always the necessary required volume,
kept refrigerated, and processed within 2 hours of collection. Is there any alternative?

A majority of urine specimens are collected either in physicians offices or at hospitals.


Throughout the past decade, testing practices have changed rapidly and an increasing
number of specimens are transported to remote or core laboratories. The laboratories
are faced with transport effects on the specimens. BD recommends collecting urine
specimens in the BD Vacutainer Plus Plastic Conical Urinalysis Preservative Tube
because specimen integrity is maintained for up to 72 hours without refrigeration.
Instructions for Use:

Max/Min
Fill Line
Fill lines help
the healthcare
worker maintain
the correct urineto-additive ratio
Max fill is 8mL
Min fill is 7mL

Place the filled collection cup upright on a clean, flat surface.


Note: If a very small urine volume is obtained, the sample may
be insufficient to fill the BD Vacutainer Plus Plastic Conical
Urinalysis Preservative Tube to the minimum level as indicated
on the tube label and may be insufficient for testing.
The BD Vacutainer Plus Plastic Conical Urinalysis Preservative
Tube has an 8mL fill volume.
When using an Integral Sampling Device or Transfer Straw,
allow the vacuum to completely fill the tube to 8mL with
urine and thoroughly mix 8 to 10 times. If there is very little
urine volume collected, the stopper of the preservative tube
may be removed and the urine poured from the specimen
container into the tube to the minimum mark.
The MINIMUM amount of urine needed in the tube is 7mL.
(See Min Fill Line on Tube) At this volume, the correct urineto-additive ratio is maintained. If this volume requirement
cannot be met, then please follow the NCCLS guideline stated
on the following page.
The conical bottom of the BD Vacutainer Plus Plastic Conical
Urinalysis Preservative Tube aids in sediment collection for
microscopic analysis. It can be used with the KOVA pipette
system, therefore maintaining a 12:1 urine-to-sediment ratio.
The urine preservative is comprised of Chlorhexidine, Ethyl
Paraben, and Sodium Propionate.

continued on reverse side

In the event that a urine preservative system is not used, NCCLS recommends that the urinalysis testing
be performed within 2 hours of specimen collection. If testing cannot be performed within this timeframe,
refrigeration (2 to 8 C) is adequate for some chemical components (exceptions being bilirubin and
urobilinogen). At these storage temperatures, the specimen can precipitate amorphous urates or
phosphates, which obscure the microscopic field. The length of time refrigeration can serve as a
preservative has not been determined .1
NCCLS1 also recommends, If urine preservation systems are used, they should first be evaluated by the
laboratory.
It is generally accepted that after standing 2 hours at room temperature, the chemical composition of
unprocessed urine changes, and formed elements begin to deteriorate.
The following are changes that may occur:
pH - bacteria converts urea to ammonia, CO2 lost
pH - bacteria and yeast convert glucose to acids and alcohols
Glucose - utilization by bacteria (glycolysis)
Ketones can - caused by volatilization of acetone
Bilirubin - destroyed by light, oxidized to biliverdin
Urobilinogen - destroyed by light
Nitrites - bacterial reduction of nitrate
Nitrites - nitrite converted to nitrogen, which evaporates
Turbidity - due to bacterial growth, crystal formation, precipitation of amorphous material
Bacteriuria - multiplication of bacteria
Cells and casts disintegrate in dilute urine (SG < 1.010) and urine that becomes alkaline upon
standing (pH > 7.0)
BD performed evaluations of the BD Vacutainer Plus Plastic Conical Urinalysis Preservative Tube stored
at room temperature (RT). The tube was compared to the BD Vacutainer Plus Plastic Conical Tube
(RT) at initial time and at 72 hours after tube fill for urine dipstick chemistries. The preservative tube
demonstrated some urine analyte results outside the normal reference ranges. Statistical analysis for urine
dipstick chemistries showed that over 72 hours there were no clinically significant differences observed
between the BD Vacutainer Plus Plastic Control Tube at RT and the BD Vacutainer Plus Plastic Conical
Urinalysis Preservative Tube. (VS5771, VS5930).
References:

1. NCCLS Urinalysis and Collection, Transportation, and Preservation of Urine Specimens; Approved Guideline Second Edition, GP16-A2
Vol. 21 No 19 (2001).
2. Brelwick, Linda L. Urinalysis in the POL. Advance for Medical Laboratory Professionals, August 14, 2000.
3. Henry, JB. (ed.) Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. Twentieth edition, W.B. Saunders Company 2001.

Please call BD Vacutainer Technical Services for clinical support material.


BD Vacutainer Technical Services: 1.800.631.0174
BD Customer Service: 1.888.237.2762
BD, BD Logo and Vacutainer are trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company. 2003 BD.
Printed in USA
01/03
VS 7055

BD Vacutainer Systems
Preanalytical Solutions
1 Becton Drive
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
www.bd.com/vacutainer

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