Contents
With a complete examination of the body, doctors ask the patient to submit their biomaterials for analysis. This can be a different test, but most often donated blood, urine and feces. A variety of containers can lead to a dead end, since among the many different devices it can be difficult to choose the right one. In order for the results to be as reliable as possible, two conditions must be met – to choose a good container and to collect the biomaterial correctly.
What are containers for biomaterials?
The first step in the biomaterial container selection process is to consider the physical characteristics of each. Does the material have the correct barrier properties such as moisture protection? There are over 90 plastic container types with over 100 modified types. Plastic products offer a combination of properties not available in other materials. Some of them are: transparency, chemical resistance, barrier resistance, sterilization.
The physical characteristics of plastics make them common in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, they are characterized by low unit costs, recyclability (many containers can be recycled). The nature of the material is especially important when considering the tendency of a substance to settling particles. There has been a lot of feedback on plastic containers in the past 12 months due to the potential hazards associated with particulate matter.
Glass can be considered an ideal material under certain circumstances. It is transparent, has excellent barrier properties and is easy to sterilize. However, glass can be an inconvenience due to delamination, which occurs when small particles of glass enter the biomaterial.
Metals tend to be the lowest risk materials, both in terms of their physical properties and chemical compatibility. But, as in all cases, care must be taken if the metals are treated in any way before use (washing and the presence of surfactants must be considered).
Surface treatment and general oxidation is important for compatibility and stability. Therefore, to collect any biomaterials, doctors advise giving preference to plastic – it is the most reliable and comfortable to use.
How to use the container correctly?
The following is an instruction for the correct use of the container and the collection of biomaterial:
- buy a sealed sterile container;
- wash your hands thoroughly with soapy water;
- collect the urine sample in a completely clean (sterile) container;
- screw the container with a lid;
- sign the container with your name and date of birth;
- store in the refrigerator in a sealed plastic bag if you cannot immediately transfer it to the laboratory;
- wash your hands after the procedure;
- you can collect a urine sample at any time of the day.
If you are unable to pass the urine sample within an hour, you must store it at about 4°C (39°F) for no longer than 24 hours. First place the container of urine in a sealed plastic bag and then place it in the refrigerator. Bacteria in a urine sample can multiply if they are not stored in a cold environment. Otherwise, it may affect the test results.
It is worth saying that the above instructions are suitable for collecting not only urine, but also feces (feces do not need to be stored in the refrigerator). The remaining laboratory tests do not provide for the collection of biomaterials at home, so there is no need for detailed instruction.
What does the correct container look like?
The containers may vary in size, but there are a few characteristics that each of them should have. The first is container packaging.
The jar for collecting biomaterials must be tightly sealed. You should not give this container to strangers, as even microbes on your hands can negatively affect the result.
The second is quality material. The presence of chips and microcracks in the container is not allowed, since bacteria from the external environment can easily get into the biomaterial. The tightness of the material is also important, since at best the collected biomaterial can spill out, at worst, foreign particles will get into it. If you bought a container with a defect, then you should not spare money for a new one, because it is better to be safe than to be in an unpleasant situation with false test results.
What are the advantages of containers for collecting materials?
Your GP or other healthcare professional may ask for a biopsy sample to help diagnose or rule out certain health conditions. Biomaterials contain waste products that are filtered out of the body. If there is anything unusual in the sample, it may indicate an underlying health problem. The choice of a good container is especially important for this procedure, since the results of the analysis depend in part on it.
Still, why is it better to use a special container than any other non-medical container?
First, it is quite convenient. The collected biomaterial does not exude an unpleasant odor and is hermetically sealed. Also important is the sterility of the vessel. If you use pharmacy containers, then the chances of the reliability of the results of testing biomaterials are significantly increased.
In addition, such a container does not take up much space when transporting it. Convenience and ease of use are also important in the process of collecting biomaterial. Despite the fact that there are many different substances from which containers are made, plastic is the most reliable and proven material.
It is important to remember that the results of laboratory tests depend on the quality of the submitted sample and the sterility of the container.