When testing for different medical conditions using urinalysis, read the results carefully. Look out for contamination and handle the sample with care to avoid false results. American Screening Corp is here to guide you through what you should know about common errors in urinalysis testing.
Delayed Testing
When a urine sample sits in its cup for too long before it is tested, the results may not be as accurate. Dip your urinalysis strips into the sample and analyze them within two hours of collection if possible. If you’re not able to test the sample quickly, keep it in a refrigerator between 2 and 6 degrees Celsius until you’re ready to test.
Cross-Contamination
If you’re examining urine samples under a microscope, use a fresh, sterile slide for each new sample. If a slide is at all contaminated by remnants of a previous sample, it could interfere with the results of the next one. Make sure all equipment you’re using to analyze urine is sterile, and avoid using anything twice without sterilizing it first. Keep bleach and other oxidizing agents away from your urinalysis strips, too. That reagent strip is extremely sensitive!
False Results
A urine test specifically designed to detect the presence of illicit drugs also comes with a risk of false positives or negatives. The classic example is the consumption of a poppy seed bagel leading to a positive result for opiates. This error is more common with older drug tests; their threshold for a positive result is much lower. The newest urine testing supplies have a higher threshold to avoid false positives for innocent reasons.
Think about the accuracy of your urine tests as you browse American Screening Corporation’s extensive selection. We provide top-quality medical supplies, but it’s up to you to utilize them properly and exercise caution in reading results. These are only three things you should know about common errors in urinalysis testing; remain vigilant as you perform your tests!
