Test Directory
Urine - Routine M, C & S
Containers - Adult
Sterile Universal/Boric Acid Urine Container (Red Cap)
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Volume Range
15 - 20 ml. Note minimum required volume 15ml |
Plain Sterile Universal Container
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Volume Range
1- 20 ml |
Containers - Child
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Sterile Universal 20ml
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Volume Range
1 - 20 ml |
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Sterile Universal/Boric Acid Urine Container (Red Cap)
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Volume Range
15 - 20ml. Note minimum required volume 15ml. |
Laboratory Site
Old Dalkeith Road
Edinburgh
EH16 4SA
Howden
Livingston
West Lothian
EH54 6PP
Transport arrangements
Transport plain white top urine containers to lab within 4 hours of collection unrefrigerated or within 48 hours if refrigerated.
Red top boric acid urine containers must arrive in lab within 96 hours of collection.
If clinically urgent, urine samples can be delivered direct to laboratory reception at the RIE which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Sample storage arrangements
Sterile Universal: store in the fridge (4-6oC);
Boric acid: store at room temperature or store in the fridge (4-6oC)
Special instructions for collection
Useful: in patients with suspected urinary tract infection, including acute and chronic pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis, epididymitis, and prostatitis.
When suspecting catheter associated urinary tract infections, don't use urine dipsticks. Urine culture is often positive in a catheterised patient and won't differentiate between bacterial colonisation and infection.
Catheter associated urinary tract infection is diagnosed clinically based on
- fever (though this may be absent in older patients),
- no evidence of an alternative source of infection,
- and any or all of the following:
- rigors
- supra-pubic or flank pain,
- frank haematuria
- delirium.
A positive urine culture without symptoms (asymptomatic bacteriuria) in men & non-pregnant women should not be treated. Do not routinely use a urinalysis/dipstick to diagnose a urinary tract infection. Urinalysis results in antibiotic over-prescribing, and in men and older women > 65 years old has a high false positive and false negative rate and should not be used. In women under 65, nitrites on urinalysis indicate that a UTI is possible, but only when symptoms are present.
Special Instructions for Collection
Transport plain white top universal urine containers to lab within 4 hours of collection unrefrigerated (or within 48 hours if refrigerated). Red top boric acid urine containers must arrive in lab within 96 hours of collection. Boric acid is a preservative which helps prevent cell degradation and bacterial overgrowth if the urine sample is not processed within 4 hours. Please ensure red top boric acid containers are filled appropriately up to the fill line with a minimum volume of 15ml; underfilling may inhibit bacterial growth. Do not tip out or remove the white powder before filling. If only a small sample is available e.g paediatric or suprapubic aspirates, please use a white-topped universal container. If clinically urgent, urine samples can be delivered direct to laboratory reception at the RIE which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
How to request
Both RIE and SJH Microbiology laboratories do not routinely do urine microscopy on all samples.
Urine microscopy can be performed in the following circumstances:
- Children under 3 years old
- ?Glomerulonephritis
- Post-renal transplant patients
Urine culture can be requested electronically by TRAK ("C&S - Urine (Microbiology)"), or GP Order Comms, or by submitting with a request form.
Availability
Test is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at RIE Microbiology lab.
At SJH, test is not available outside SJH Microbiology lab opening hours - please send urgent samples to RIE, or store in a refrigerator.
Anticipated turnaround
Up to 5 days
What happens if the result is positive or abnormal
Result will appear electronically and if necessary phoned by a microbiologist.
For Adults -Guidance on the interpretation of urine results can be found here:
or here:
https://www.sapg.scot/quality-improvement/primary-care/urinary-tract-infections/
General additional information
MSU, CSU, CCU, SPA all come under this investigation.