pathologyhandbook
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Urine collection using Green topped Boric Acid Monovette® only for Microbiology Culture and Sensitivity
Boric acid is used to preserve cellular constituents during transport and prevent bacterial overgrowth; this maintains the quality of the sample and improves the validity of the results.
Because Boric acid is a preservative it can interfere with other tests and requires dilution using 10ml of urine. Therefore, to ensure the sample is processed the following criteria apply:
- This container can only be used for urine specimens requiring microscopy, culture and sensitivity testing.
- The Green topped Monovette must be filled at least to the 10ml line to ensure adequate dilution of the Boric acid
- Dip tests must be performed before the sample is transferred to the Green topped Monovette
Samples requiring other tests must be collected in the correct container.
Samples that are less than 10ml must be delivered to the laboratory within two hours of collection in a white topped universal container.
- Please use the White topped CE marked leak proof “universal” container for collection of urine samples.
- Samples should reach the laboratory or GP surgery within two hours of collection in a sealed plastic bag and must be labelled with date and time of collection as well as patient details (See below)
- Ward and GP samples should be dip tested and then be transferred to a “Green top” Monovette® as soon as collected, prior to transportation to the laboratory if required
- The sample must be labelled with at least three points of patient identification: Full name, Date of birth, NHS/Hospital number.
Samples that do not have the 3 points of identification will be rejected.
Collection Procedure
A) Universals:- Ensure that the sample volume is between 10-15ml Please send Infant samples to the lab in white top universal within 2 hours of collection.
- B) Monovettes:- 1. Remove the Monovette’s® stopper and keep for later use. Attach the plastic straw and insert into urine.
- 2. Pull back the syringe, and fill the Monovette® at least until the bottom of the label. Pull back syringe fully when holding tube upright to empty straw Dispose of straw and rest of sample.
- 3. Remove plastic straw, break off syringe and replace stopper Invert several times and label the sample with patient name, DOB and NHS number.
