Stability of urine specimens stored with and without preservatives at room temperature and on ice prior to urinalysis

A chlorhexidine-containing preservative tube seems advantageous for urine sample transport from outside healthcare services. A preservative tube offers comparable results with urine samples kept in a refrigerator for 4-8 h for the majority of parameters. Keeping samples at room temperature is recommended when preservative tubes are used because ice produces a negative effect on WBCs and CaOx.