24-Hour Urine Specimen Collection--Office Instructions

An important factor in the collection of a 24-hour urine specimen is to make sure the patient fully understands the process, thus better ensuring cooperation. An incorrect, inadequate, or over-collected specimen will guarantee erroneous results. It is important to go over the collection procedure verbally and also give the patient written instructions.
  1. Provide a wide-mouth, plastic container that has a screw lid and is large enough to hold approximately 3 liters.
  2. Label the container. If a preservative is required and is added before the collection, warn the patient both verbally and with a label on the container that contact with the preservative could be harmful.
  3. Have the patient begin the collection by emptying the bladder at a specified time and discarding this specimen. Instruct the patient to write the date and time the collection was started.
  4. Inform the patient to collect all voided urine over the next 24-hour period.
  5. The patient should conclude the collection exactly 24 hours after it was started by emptying the bladder and adding this to the collection bottle.
  6. The urine should be stored at 4 to 6° C during the collection period.