Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Bladder washings or catheterized, cystoscopic, or voided urine

1. Patient should be well hydrated and voiding frequently. One way to achieve this is to have the patient drink 1 glass of water every 15 minutes for 1 to 2 hours.

2. Collect at least 50 mL to 100 mL from a catheterized or voided urine (preferably not first-morning voided specimen) or bladder washings obtained at time of cystoscopy in a screw-capped container. No preservative.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

4. Refrigerate specimen after collection, and send specimen refrigerated. Forward promptly.

Note:  Complete a “Request for Specimen Analysis” in “Request Forms” in “Special Instructions” including patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and actual time of collection, source of specimen, pertinent clinical history, symptoms, treatment, chemotherapy, and billing information. Forward it with the specimen.