Urinalysis
UA
Test Codes
EPIC: LAB5918
Department
Chemistry
Instructions
Urinalysis specimens must be sent to the Laboratory for processing within 2 hours (room temperature) or 8 hours (refrigerated) to minimize loss of cell casts and other formed elements.
Specimen Collection Criteria
Collect: A random, clean-catch, midstream urine specimen in a sterile collection container. (Minimum: 5.0 mL)
- A fairly concentrated (first morning void) specimen is preferred.
- Optimum specimen volume is at least 20 mL.
- Document the time of specimen collection.
- Transfer urine to a Yellow-top urine tube using the BD Integrate Transfer Collection Set or BD Vacutainer® Urine Transfer Straw Kit with UA Tube. Specimens received in a sterile, screw-capped container will be accepted, but are not preferred. For more information, please refer to the Specimen Collection Manual.
- A separate, preserved specimen is required for Microbiology Culture and Sensitivity.
Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation
Maintain specimen refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) and transport to the Laboratory within 8 hours of collection.
Preparation for Courier Transport
Transport: Urine specimen, refrigerated (2-8 °C or 36-46 °F). (Minimum: 5.0 mL)
Rejection Criteria
- Urine volume less than 1.0 mL.
- Samples greater than 24 hours old.
- Samples that have been frozen.
- If samples are determined to have exceeded the stability guidelines provided, test results may be released with the following comment: "Sample greater than 2 hours old - may be loss of cell casts and other formed elements. Dipstick testing may yield inaccurate results."
- Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.
In-Lab Processing
Document the time of specimen collection in the computer system. Deliver the specimen immediately to the appropriate testing station.
Storage
Specimen Stability for Testing:
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 8 hours (Specimens greater than 8 hours may be reported with a disclaimer).
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable
Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Laboratory
Canton Laboratory
Dearborn Hematology Laboratory
Farmington Hills Hematology/Urinalysis Laboratory
Grosse Pointe Hematology/Urinalysis Laboratory
Lenox Main Laboratory
Livonia Main Laboratory
Royal Oak Urinalysis Laboratory
Taylor Hematology Laboratory
Trenton Hematology/Coagulation Laboratory
Troy Hematology/Urinalysis Laboratory
Wayne Hematology Laboratory
Performed
Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
STAT results available within 1 hour of receipt in the Laboratory.
Routine results available within 4 hours.
Reference Range
| Specific Gravity | 1.005-1.030 |
| Nitrite | Negative |
| pH | 5.0-8.0 |
| Protein | Negative |
| Glucose | Negative |
| Ketones | Negative |
| Urobilinogen | less than 2.0 |
| Bilirubin | Negative |
| Blood | Negative |
| Leukocyte Esterase | Negative |
| Microscopic examination of sediment: |
| WBC | 0-5 (Negative)/hpf |
| RBC | 0-2 (Negative)/hpf |
| Hyaline Casts | 0-2 (Negative)/lpf |
Confirmatory Tests
(if dipstick is positive as warranted): |
| Qualitative Protein | Negative |
Test Methodology
Automated Urinalysis Dipstick Reader, Flow Cytometry, Phase Microscopy or Brightfield Microscopy.
Interpretation
Routine urinalysis includes a report of specimen color, clarity, specific gravity and chemical dipstick testing. A microscopic examination or urinary sediment is performed when:
- An abnormal result (trace or greater) is found in the "dipstick" testing for any of the following seven chemistries: glucose, bilirubin, ketone, blood, protein, nitrite or leukocytes.
- A microscopic exam is specifically requested.
- The urine is highly colored so as to interfere with dipstick reading of the color blocks. Substances that cause abnormal urine color such as drugs containing azodyes (Pyridium, Azo Gantrisin, Azo Gantanol), nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Furadantin) and riboflavin may affect results, potentially yielding a false positive result.
Reflex Testing
If a positive dipstick result is encountered for protein, ketones, leukocyte esterase, blood, glucose, or nitrite, a manual microscopy is performed.
Clinical Utility
Examination of the urine can provide:
- information for diagnosis and management of renal or urinary tract disease.
- aid in the detection of metabolic or systemic diseases not directly related to the kidney.
CPT Codes
81001 (with microscopic), 81003 (without microscopic).
Contacts
Canton Laboratory – CTN
734-454-8024
Name: Canton Laboratory – CTN
Location:
Phone: 734-454-8024
Hematology Laboratory – DBN
313-593-7905
Name: Hematology Laboratory – DBN
Location:
Phone: 313-593-7905
Hematology/Coagulation Laboratory – FH
947-521-8243
Name: Hematology/Coagulation Laboratory – FH
Location:
Phone: 947-521-8243
Hematology/Urinalysis Laboratory – GP
313-473-1809
Name: Hematology/Urinalysis Laboratory – GP
Location:
Phone: 313-473-1809
Livonia Laboratory – LVA
947-523-4370
Name: Livonia Laboratory – LVA
Location:
Phone: 947-523-4370
Urinalysis Laboratory – RO
248-551-8064
Name: Urinalysis Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-551-8064
Hematology/Coagulation Laboratory – TRN
734-671-3862
Name: Hematology/Coagulation Laboratory – TRN
Location:
Phone: 734-671-3862
Hematology/Coagulation Laboratory – TR
248-964-8040
Name: Hematology/Coagulation Laboratory – TR
Location:
Phone: 248-964-8040
Hematology Laboratory – TYL
313-295-5360
Name: Hematology Laboratory – TYL
Location:
Phone: 313-295-5360
Coagulation Laboratory – WYN
734-467-4274
Name: Coagulation Laboratory – WYN
Location:
Phone: 734-467-4274
Last Updated
8/15/2023
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