Urine Collection

For routine urinalysis and drug testing, a 60–90mL cup provides adequate specimen with room for dip-and-read or aliquoting. For urine culture, a minimum of 10mL is needed, but 30–60mL containers are standard. 24-hour collections use 3L jugs (not carried here) and are aliquoted into smaller containers for transport to the lab.

Use sterile containers whenever the specimen will be cultured for bacteria or when contamination could affect results — primarily urine culture and sensitivity (C&S) testing. For routine urinalysis, drug testing, and chemistry panels, non-sterile containers are acceptable and more cost-effective.

Boric acid is the standard preservative for urine culture transport. It inhibits bacterial overgrowth without killing existing organisms, allowing accurate colony counts. Boric acid-treated specimens remain stable for up to 48 hours at room temperature, eliminating the need for immediate refrigeration.

If testing cannot be performed within 2 hours of collection, refrigerate at 2–8 C. Unpreserved specimens left at room temperature undergo bacterial multiplication, pH change, and analyte degradation. Preservative-treated containers extend stability — check the specific preservative requirements for your ordered test.

Yes. All urine collection containers feature screw-cap closures with internal sealing rings that meet IATA and DOT transport requirements for Category B diagnostic specimens. Containers are tested to withstand 95 kPa internal pressure without leaking.

We carry standard screw-cap specimen cups. For integrated vacuum-transfer systems that draw urine from the cup into preservative tubes, contact us for availability and compatible tube formats.