Note the time of collection of the specimen on the test requisition and on the label of the container. Urine for pregnancy testing should be first morning void, or a random specimen with a specific gravity of at least 1.010. Submit a first morning voided specimen whenever possible.
To reduce contamination, the specimen submitted for urinalysis should be a clean catch “mid-stream” sample. This specimen is preferred because it has a more uniform volume and concentration, and its lower pH helps preserve the formed elements. Most reference values are based on analysis of the first morning voided urine. The normal composition of urine varies considerably during a 24-hour period. Transfer the requested volume into the labeled urine transport vial. Measure and record this volume on the test request form and on the urine transport vial (see Pediatric Specimen Tubes below).
Collect all urine for the next 24 hours so that the morning urine void on the second day is the final collection. On the day of the collection, discard the first morning urine void, and begin the collection after this void. The patient (or responsible individual) should be cautioned that the preservative may be toxic and caustic, and not to spill or discard the preservative. When the 24-hour urine output is less than 1 liter, 4 grams of boric acid can be used when boric acid is the specified preservative or 10 mL of 6N HCl can be used when HCl is specified. If a preservative is required, it is important that the designated preservative be in the urine collection container at the start of the collection. Record on the test request form any medications that the patient is receiving. We strongly recommend that you share your test results with your doctor in order to make the best health decisions.Many urine chemistry tests require a 24-hour collection. New York residents may not purchase any other at-home kits. Please note that New York residents may only purchase an at-home kit for a COVID-19 Active Infection Test. Tests with an At-Home Kit option can be purchased in all states except Arizona, New York (with the exception of the COVID-19 Active Infection Test), Alaska, and Hawaii, as well as Puerto Rico.Tests with an In-Person at Quest or In-Person at Drive-Thru option can be purchased in all states except Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii, as well as Puerto Rico.Quest offers testing you can purchase for yourself, with physician oversight, as follows: Then, have your specimen collected for the testing you purchased. Licensed professionals from PWNHealth LLC and affiliated professional entities (collectively, PWN) will provide clinical oversight of your lab testing, including ordering your selected tests, when appropriate.
You can select and pay for lab tests here. Look for more information about the AWN here. If you need help paying for the tests you need, our Patient Assistance Program may be able to help.ĭuring your appointment, you may be asked to sign an Advance Written Notice (AWN). Health plans do not cover all healthcare services. In certain cases, for tests that Quest Diagnostics knows are likely not covered based on a health plan’s policies, we’ll issue you an AWN to notify you of your potential financial responsibility, and we’ll ask that you review and sign it if you’d like to proceed with the service(s). If you have questions about your coverage, contact your insurance company. Your responsibilities typically include copays, deductibles, coinsurance, and any testing services not covered by your plan. Whether you’ll owe a portion of lab testing completely depends on your insurance. We don’t hold your funds and won’t charge you if your insurance pays the full amount. You’ll authorize an amount based on the estimated out-of-pocket cost of your lab test-but we’ll only charge your card if there’s a patient cost after we bill your insurance company. You will need to provide a credit, debit, or health savings card during your Quest Diagnostics visit.