Pre‐procedure

ActionRationale

1. 1.Show
   Introduce yourself to the patient, explain and discuss the procedure with them, and gain their consent to proceed.
   To ensure that the patient feels at ease, understands the procedure and gives their valid consent (NMC [165], C).
2. 2.Show
   Fully explain the steps of the procedure, emphasizing the importance of not discarding any urine within the 24‐hour period (provide written information if needed).
   The patient needs to fully understand the procedure in order to avoid inadvertent contamination of the specimen and optimize the quality of the sample. E

Procedure

1. 3.Show
   Ask patient to void urine and discard this specimen.
   To establish the exact start time of the 24‐hour period. E
2. 4.Show
   All urine passed in the 24 hours after this appointed time should be collected in a clean urine collection container.
   To ensure the specimen is representative of the variables of altering body chemistry within the 24 hours (Pagana and Pagana [177], E).
3. 5.Show
   If catheter in situ: completely empty catheter bag and hourly chamber (if applicable) or attach new catheter bag. Attach label indicating start time of 24‐hour urine collection.
   To clearly indicate to all practitioners the 24‐hour collection period. E
4. 6.Show
   If applicable, transfer urine from collection container into large specimen container.
   To ensure specimen is collected in a suitable container for safe transportation to the laboratory. E

Post‐procedure

1. 7.Show
   Label sample and complete request form.
   To maintain accurate records and provide accurate information for laboratory analysis (NMC [165], C; Weston [255], E).
2. 8.Show
   Dispatch sample to laboratory as soon as possible after completion of the 24‐hour period.
   To allow accurate laboratory processing and analysis (Higgins [84], E).
3. 9.Show
   Document the procedure in the patient's records.
   To ensure timely and accurate record keeping (NMC [165], C).