Test Information:
Hematuria produces a cloudy red urine, and hemo-globinuria appears as a clear red specimen. Because anyamount of blood greater than five cells per microliter of urineis considered clinically significant, visual examination cannotbe relied upon to detect the presence of blood. Microscopicexamination of the urinary sediment shows intact red bloodcells, but free hemoglobin produced either by hemolytic disorders or lysis of red blood cells is not detected. Therefore,chemical tests for hemoglobin provide the most accuratemeans for determining the presence of blood. Once blood hasbeen detected, the microscopic examination can be used to dif-ferentiate between hematuria and hemoglobinuria.
Specimen Container:
Sterile / Plain Urine Container
Specimen Type:
- First morning urine
- Random urine
Required Volume:
10 – 30 mL
Patient Preparation:
No Patient Preparation
Notes:
To obtain optimal results, it is recommended that freshly collected specimen must be submitted in the laboratory as soon as possible or 1 hour after specimen collection.
- However, if delay in transportation occurs, it is vital to follow the stipulated storage and stability. Specimen received beyond the stipulated storage and stability is considered “sub-optimal” in nature. Refrigerated specimen may cause precipitation of amorphous and other non pathologic crystals that can obscure other elements in the urine sediment.
- For pediatric and/or geriatric patients, 5mL urine volume is acceptable for processing.
Storage & Stability
(Before Processing)
- Optimal Specimen:
Storage: 2 to 8˚C
Stability: 1 hour
Transport Temperature:
Ref (2°C to 8°C)
Test Category:
Routine
Test Schedule:
Daily
Results Availability:
Within 4 hours