Urine Hats / Urine Containers & Sample Cups

Uses of Urine Hats

Urine has a long history as an ideal specimen for analysis in clinical laboratories, which is why it is the most commonly used specimen after blood for diagnostic testing, detection of drugs, and monitoring of disease status. During the collection and transportation of urine samples, urine hats and urine containers play an important role in ensuring consumer safety and protecting the collected sample from degradation.

Urine containers are specifically designed for the collection and transport of urinalysis, microbiology, and drug testing specimens. Urine specimens can be collected using different types of urine collection containers and cups depending on the kind of urine specimen required, the patient type, and the collection site.

Types of Urine Collection Containers

Urine containers are available in a variety of configurations to fit your needs. There are several different types of urine containers, and the common ones include:

1. Urine Specimen Cups for Collection and Transport

Urine collection cups are available in a variety of shapes and sizes with lids that are either screw-on or snap-on. Some of these urine specimen cups, also usually known as BD Vacutainer urine cups, have closures featuring special access ports that offer closed system transfer of the urine specimen from the cup to the tube.

2. 24-hour Urine Collection Containers

This urine collection container usually has a 3-liter capacity and is most typically an amber color, which protects the light-sensitive analytes of the urine such as urobilinogen and porphyrins. The closure type of this urine container varies, and some of them have a port for the smooth transfer of the specimen into the tube.

These urine collection containers are suitable for the simple test used to check kidney function. This is done by collecting one's urine over a full 24-hour period before it is returned to the lab.

3. Urine Collection Kits

Urine collection kits offer most of the components required for urine collection, handling, and transport. The kits may come with cups, bags, securing devices, and an assortment of other essential items.

4. Pediatric Urine Collectors

Pediatric urine collection bags serve the same purpose as other urine collectors; the only difference is that these are designed to collect samples from a child or infant.

Features and Benefits of Urine Hats & Containers

• Urine collection devices, particularly toilet hats, will generally have scale markings that allow you or anyone else to measure the volume of the urine quickly.
• Some collection containers and urine sample cups include a Fahrenheit/Celsius temperature strip that makes sure the sample is fresh.
• Most urine collection containers feature either screw-on or snap-on lids.
• Urine specimen collection containers are made from an injection molded of polypropylene or linear polyethylene.
• 24-hour urine collection containers are amber-tinted to protect the sample from light exposure.
• Most medical collection containers are leak-resistant, and this provides confidence in every setting, including outpatient labs, urinalysis, operating rooms, and histology.

Urine Collection and Transport Guidelines

• If you will be transporting your specimen, the urine containers you choose should be leak-proof and have a secure lid. Leak-proof urine sample cups protect the urine specimen from contaminants and loss while also keeping medical professionals as safe as possible from exposure to the specimen.
• All urine specimen collection and transport containers should be clean and free of interfering substances or particles.
• The use of a plastic urine container that is break-resistant is strongly recommended.
• Never reuse specimen containers.
• The urine collection container and urine sample cups should be sealed so as to prevent interfering substances from leaking into the urine specimen.
• A urine collection tube should be compatible with the instruments and automated systems used by the lab.
• Urine collection hats and/or urine specimen tubes should be fitting with pneumatic tube systems where they are used for the transport of urine specimens.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urine Specimen Collection

Where are urine hats used?

Urine hats are used in health facilities, including clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, and other testing facilities for urine sample collection, or to collect and/or measure urine output. Urine hats are designed to fit neatly between the toilet bowl rim and toilet seat, allowing for hands-free collection. The following are examples of when a urine hat might be used:

• Post-op or postpartum patients whose urine output needs to be monitored by hospital staff to ensure that they are recovering well.
• Patients who submit urine samples on a regular basis for any reason can greatly benefit from the convenience of this hands-free urine collection method. Most pee hats are equipped with a pour spout which makes subsequent transfers into urine collection cups simple and mess-free.
• Clinics or outpatient centers may choose to use urine hats to make life easier for patients who need to submit a urine sample during their visit. Keep in mind that a new toilet hat would need to be used for each patient, making this option time-efficient and hygienic, but not very cost-efficient.
• Incontinence diagnosis or treatment may involve measuring fluid intake and urine output in a diary called a urination log. These logs are frequently used by incontinence doctors to measure your level of incontinence and track your progress with treatments. Depending on the doctor's findings, you may be advised to make lifestyle changes such as the use of adult diapers and the avoidance of diuretics, or you may be prescribed medication to help with the muscle activity involved in urination.

Why use a urine collection container when I can use just a paper cup?

A paper cup is acceptable for simple dipstick urine tests carried out at the collection site. But for a urine specimen required to be transported to the laboratory, a container for urine is ideal, since the urine collection cups and sample containers usually have a sterile interior which allows for easy, fast transfer of urine from the urine hat to a urinalysis tube.

How long can the urine sample collected in a urine container be held before being used?

You can hold the urine sample at room temperature for about 48 hours. Storing the sample for longer than that can compromise test results, even if the sample is being refrigerated while stored in the urine collection tube.

Do specimen collection cups expire?

All urine collection cups and sample containers, except specimen cups, have an expiration date. So be sure to check the date before purchasing and using any urine collection materials.

AvaCare Medical’s products are are perfect for use in various settings; they're great for medical facilities and for personal usage. Check out our wide variety of urine sample cups and collection containers for urine. We have many different types of collectors, with specific uses. Whether you need a commode specimen collector or a pediatric urine bag, browse our site to find the urine sample bottles you need. For more information, contact our customer service representative now.