Urine Collection Procedures

Urine Collection Procedures

Due to the sensitive nature of drug test results, you will inevitably encounter patients that may attempt to manipulate their sample to yield a negative test result. Fortunately, the technology of Drug-Aware on-site test kits compensates for this, making it virtually impossible to do so if there is drug present in the urine sample. However, carefully collected urine samples can eliminate the majority of such attempts to mislead the test. Please contact us for a copy of our recommended urine collection procedures.

If the results of a test could result in disciplinary action, an alternative laboratory method should be used to verify positive test results. In cases where the results may need to be relied upon in a court of law, the sample collection procedures are of particular importance.

These collection procedures are often referred to as “Chain of Custody” procedures. Chain of custody procedures ensure that the sample received by the laboratory (for confirmation purposes) can be traced back to the donor with no potential for tampering or switching of samples at any point. This ensures that the result will stand up in a court of law.

Chain of custody / collection procedures should include:

• Securing the collection area - removing any cleaning chemicals and discolouring the toilet water, e.g. using a “loo blue”.
• Identifying the individual.
• Filling out consent forms.
• Washing hands and collecting sample.
• Check temperature and colour of sample.
• Testing the sample using a test kit.
• If the test is negative, dispose of the sample. If positive, use our UKAS accredited lab packs to divide the specimen into two bottles - seal them with the tamper evident barcode labels provided and package them for transport to the laboratory.
• One sample will be used for confirmation testing purposes, the other will be stored (for up to a year) for independent analysis in case of a dispute. Note:– this process applies to cassette tests (where the sample to be tested is removed with a pipette) or integrated test cups. If using a dip-card style of drug test, you should divide the sample first so that it cannot be claimed that you contaminated the sample by dipping the test into it.