Urinalysis Best Practices That May Have Leaked Since School

As we know, a Urinalysis is an essential part of the baseline data obtained from most patients. However, with the hustle and bustle of everyday practice, sometimes best practices are forgotten and corners are cut. The consistent generation of reliable laboratory results requires the practice team to understand the value of proper collection, handling, evaluation, and interpretation of the urine sample. Quality assurance begins with proper specimen identification and handling and ends with laboratory quality controls. Whether in the clinic or sent to a reference lab, accurate and reliable urine results depend on careful attention to many factors and variables. Proper specimen collection, sample handling, processing, storage, and quality control will ensure these accurate and reliable results.