Urine Sample Specimen Collection

The appropriate specimen for screening for drugs of abuse is a 'spot' urine sample (20-30 ml) which should be stored in a sterile plastic container without preservative. The patient's full name, hospital or other identification number, and the date and time of collection should be written clearly on the specimen container and on the request form. It is also important to record each client's full home postcode. Special care should be taken to ensure that the specimen obtained is authentic i.e. it has been freshly voided by the patient under supervision, and not subsequently adulterated or substituted for a "drug free" specimen. A urine specimen for drugs of abuse screening should be sent by courier or first class mail, but if there is likely to be a delay in dispatch, it should be kept in a 4oC refrigerator prior to being sent to the laboratory.