Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Bladder Washing

1. Hydrate patient (give several glasses of water 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to collection).

2. Specimen should be as fresh as possible. Urine which has been in the bladder for prolonged periods shows extensive cellular degeneration and is not optimal for cytology.

3. Submit 50 mL (minimum volume:  10 mL) of bladder washing obtained at time of cystoscopy in a screw-capped, sterile container.

4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, and type of specimen.

5. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1.  Please complete a request form and include the following:

A. Patient’s name (first and last)

B. Date of birth

C. Date of collection

D. Source of material

E. Physician’s name

F. Pertinent clinical information

2. Place specimen in a plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen.

Catheterized or Voided Urine

1. Hydrate patient (give several glasses of water 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to collection).

2. Specimen should be as fresh as possible. Urine which has been in the bladder for prolonged periods shows extensive cellular degeneration and is not optimal for cytology.

3. Collect 50 mL (minimum volume:  10 mL) of catheterized or voided urine (if voided, preferably not first-morning specimen) in a screw-capped, sterile container. (24-Hour urine collection is not acceptable.)

4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, and type of specimen.

5. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1.  Please complete a request form and include the following:

A. Patient’s name (first and last)

B. Date of birth

C. Date of collection

D. Source of material (voided vs catheterized post-cysto)

E. Physician’s name

F. Pertinent clinical information

2. Place specimen in a plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen.

Renal/Pelvic Washing

1. Hydrate patient (give several glasses of water 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to collection).

2. Specimen should be as fresh as possible. Urine which has been in the bladder for prolonged periods shows extensive cellular degeneration and is not optimal for cytology.

3. For upper urinary tract lesion, catheterize ureters to pelvis for suspected renal or pelvic lesion.

4. Submit 50 mL (minimum volume:  10 mL) of renal/pelvic washing obtained at time of cystoscopy in a screw-capped, sterile container.

5. Label containers with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, and type of specimen.

6. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1.  Please complete a request form and include the following:

A. Patient’s name (first and last)

B. Date of birth

C. Date of collection

D. Source of material

E. Physician’s name

F. Pertinent clinical information

2. Place specimen in a plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen.

Ureteral Washing

1. Hydrate patient (give several glasses of water 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to collection).

2. Specimen should be as fresh as possible. Urine which has been in the bladder for prolonged periods shows extensive cellular degeneration and is not optimal for cytology.

3. For ureteral lesion, catheterize ureter to a point just below level of suspected lesion.

4. Submit 50 mL (minimum volume:  10 mL) of ureteral washing obtained at time of cystoscopy in a screw-capped, sterile container.

5. Collect urine for 30 minutes.

6. Label containers with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, and type of specimen.

7. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1.  Please complete a request form and include the following:

A. Patient’s name (first and last)

B. Date of birth

C. Date of collection

D. Source of material

E. Physician’s name

F. Pertinent clinical information

2. Place specimen in a plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen.