24-Hour Urine Collection: Information for Patients
Introduction
You have been asked by your doctor to collect a 24-hour urine sample. You will be provided with a bottle in which you are to collect all urine passed during a 24-hour period. The bottle may contain a preservative, so please do not empty or wash it out. Keep the bottle in an upright position and avoid getting the preservative on your skin or clothes. Please ensure there are at least 2 points of identification on the label on the side of the bottle; e.g. name, date of birth, address or registration number. The collection may start at any time of the day but it is usually most convenient if it is started in the morning.
At the start of the day, e.g. 8.00am, pass urine into the toilet and empty your bladder. Put this time and date on the label on the side of the bottle. From then on collect all the urine passed up to 8.00am the next morning into the bottle. It is important to collect all of the urine passed during the 24-hour period. If you need to open your bowels collect the urine first so that none is lost. If you mistakenly discard a specimen and so make the collection incomplete, return the bottle and obtain a new one with which to start again.
When your 24-hour collection is completed, bring the bottle and the printed form to the reception desk in the main entrance of the pathology building. The pathology building is open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm and on Saturday from 9.00am to 12.00 noon. Please note the specimen must be clearly labelled with your name, ID number/Date of Birth with the time and date of the start and finish of the collection. The specimen cannot be analysed without this information.
What are the benefits of me having this procedure?
The reason this test has been requested by your doctors is so that specific measurements can be made on your urine to help them to deal with your case.
What are the risks, consequences and alternatives associated with having this procedure?
The only risk involved in this procedure is that the preservative contained within the bottle is an acid and may cause irritation to the skin or damage clothes if split. Please be careful not to spill the contents of the bottle and keep it in an upright position.
If you do not collect all of the urine passed in 24-hours we will not be able to make the accurate measurements required. There is no alternative way for us to make these measurements.
Will I be asked to a pre-admission appointment – what will happen?
The 24-hour urine collection can be carried out at home and does not require you to be in hospital for this period of time. You do not need a pre-admission appointment for this test.
Getting ready for the procedure
You should eat and drink normally during the 24hour collection, unless you are told differently.
What should I expect after the test?
When the results of the test are available your doctor will contact you if any follow up appointments are required.
Further Information
If you have any problems or do not understand anything please contact the Hospital on 0121 424 2000, 9 am to 5.30 pm and ask for Bleep 2506.