Urine Cytology

Have patient drink one glass (6 oz) every 15 minutes for two to three hours. At the end of two hours, have the patient void or catheterize. Discard specimen.

Technique I (routine): One hour after collection of discarded specimen, have patient void and save the specimen. Send labeled specimen to the laboratory immediately.

Technique II (when residual bladder urine is present): Thirty minutes to one hour after collection of discarded specimen, catheterize bladder. Send labeled specimen to the laboratory immediately.

Technique III (for detection of upper urinary tract lesions): Catheterize ureters to pelvis for suspected renal or pelvic lesions. Repeat procedure using either ureter for control. For ureteral lesion, catheterize ureter to a point just below the level of the suspected lesion. Catheterize other ureter for control. Collect urine for 30 minutes. Label appropriately, right and left ureteral or pelvic specimen. Ship specimen immediately to the laboratory.

If collected after hours, add equal amount of 50% ethyl alcohol or Saccomanno fixative and place in the laboratory refrigerator. (Note: Specimens prepared with fixatives that contain 50% ethyl alcohol, eg, Saccomanno fixative, are not acceptable for microbiology testing.) Specify source of specimen.

Improper labeling; improper fixation; 24-hour collection; undue delay in transport; specimen submitted in vial that expired according to manufacturer's label; frozen specimen