Sterile urine cup

or

5 mL

1 mL

1. Collect a random urine specimen from the patient.

2. Ensure the lid is secured tightly before sending it to the lab.

Refrigerate

1. Pour off urine from the collection container into a labeled aliquot.

2. Acidify the aliquot to a pH of < 2.0.

3. Centrifuge the urine aliquot.

4. Deliver the urine aliquot to the chemistry department.

Optimal: Gold or Mint*

4.5mL; full tube

• Adults: 1 mL whole blood
• Neonates: 1 microtainer (400-600 uL)

Gently invert the sample 5-6 times after collection.

Refrigerate

1. If serum, allow the specimen to clot for 30 minutes.

2. Centrifuge specimen within 2 hours of collection.

3. After centrifugation, specimen tubes without a gel barrier should have the serum or plasma aliquoted to a false bottom container.

4. Keep the serum or plasma refrigerated until testing can be performed.