Urinalysis and Collection, Transportation, and Preservation of Urine Specimens (GP16)

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute requests volunteers to serve as working group members for the revision of a voluntary consensus guideline on Urinalysis and Collection, Transportation, and Preservation of Urine Specimens (GP16).

PROJECT REVISION:
Urinalysis and Collection, Transportation, and Preservation of Urine Specimens

Description:
Important clinical information may be obtained from laboratory analysis of urine specimens.  Much progress has been made since ancient times, when urine was poured on the ground and the attraction of insects to it indicated an abnormal specimen.  Physical and chemical analysis of urine and microscopic examination of sediment, often performed today with sophisticated instrumentation, are as useful in physicians’ office laboratories as they are in large clinical laboratories.

Urinalysis is an integral part of clinical laboratory testing.  Its usefulness is proven in diagnosis of disease (diseases of the kidney, urinary tract, and liver, as well as metabolic disorders such as diabetes), in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment of chronic problems, and in screening for asymptomatic conditions (which is also called “wellness monitoring”). The value of negative/normal results should not be underestimated.

Specimen collection, transportation, and storage are equally as important as urinalysis.  Acceptable specimens improve the quality and reliability of urinalysis results. 

This project will address macroscopic evaluation, chemical analysis, and microscopic examination of urine.  A step-by-step outline for collecting, transporting, and storing specimens, and discussion of the necessary materials and equipment used in the process will be considered.

The focus of this guideline will relate to urine collection and performance of the traditional, routine chemical and microscopic urinalysis.  Algorithmic approaches to evaluation of urine samples with respect to potential screening by dipstick with subsequent performance (or nonperformance) of culture, are beyond the scope of this guideline and will not be included.

Specific Expertise/Work Experience Needed:

• Laboratory and nonlaboratory personnel responsible for the collection, transport, and analysis of urine specimens
• Representation from manufacturers of urine collection systems
• Representation from regulatory agencies and accrediting bodies

Review the objective of the project revision, and the requested volunteer expertise, and submit a nomination.

The deadline to submit the nominations, including a curriculum vitae and disclosure of interests form, is 1 October 2006.  Send to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1400, Wayne, PA 19087. [ return to top ]