Following the information shared in CHFT News on Monday, 22nd June, below is some additional information about the transition to the Sarstedt Monovette boric acid urine collection system for urine microscopy and culture.
From Wednesday, 8th July 2026, CHFT started moving to the Sarstedt Monovette boric acid urine collection system. Please note that this change is applicable only to urine microscopy and culture. Tubes currently used for biochemistry and Haematology tests remain the same for now.
There is a transition period to allow for a complete changeover to the new system from Tuesday, 1st September 2026.
From Tuesday, 1st September 2026 the red top boric acid urine containers and the white top sterile universal containers will no longer be accepted for urine microscopy and culture.
Below is further information about training and some frequently asked questions (FAQs) which we hope will be helpful.
Training
As this represents a change from current practice, guidance and training will be provided to support you with the transition. We understand that this is a move away from established practice, and time may be needed to become familiar with the new process.
To support the rollout, a representative from the supplier will be available to deliver training.
Their contact details are included below, and you are encouraged to get in touch directly if you require assistance or clarification ahead of the change on Tuesday, 1st September 2026.
Supplier representative contact details:
Natalka Prychidnyj, Pre analytics account manager
natalka.prychidnyj@sarstedt.com / 07970 220113 / 0116 2359 023
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is the new Sarstedt Monovette boric acid urine collection system?
The new urine CS collection system consists of:
- A straw
- A cup
- A green-topped monovette tube (with boric acid)
This will replace the current urine tubes for microscopy and culture which are the red and white topped tubes.
This YouTube video shows you the new system: Urine collection: Instruction for hygenic urine collection with the Urine Monovette® - YouTube.
Why have you chosen this urine collection system?
Later this year, the CHFT Microbiology service will be moving to the Centre for Laboratory Medicine (CfLM) at St James’s Hospital, Leeds. The move is part of the West Yorkshire Pathology Partnership Strategy which will bring more resilience, and consistent, clinically appropriate turnaround times for patients across the region.
- The Sarsted green top urine tube has two essential properties for processing urine for microscopy and culture at the CfLM. It is a primary tube i.e. it can be loaded directly on to the analyser without the need for decanting to another tube prior to testing. This ensures urine specimens are processed quickly upon receipt in the laboratory
- It contains boric acid as a preservative to maintain the integrity of the sample for up to five days. Urine without preservative will deteriorate within hours of collection whereby contaminating bacteria may overgrow and cellular material in the urine may deteriorate leading to lower cell counts.
This tube has been in use across all Leeds and Mid Yorkshire areas since 2025.
Does the cup need to be sterile?
A sterile cup is not required. This is an aseptically clean product intended for standard diagnostic collection. It is also IVD certified product for urine collection. It is also worth noting that the current red top is also aseptically produced and not sterile.
For the most reliable urine culture results, urine should ideally be transferred into a boric acid cup within 4 hours of collection.
How sustainable is this new cup?
The cup and monovette tube is more sustainable than the current method as it saves 3.67g of plastic per collection.
Can the cups have a lid to prevent spillages?
If you want a lid you will need to specify this through your usual ordering process for supplies. The lids need to be ordered separately to the monovette system.
It should be noted that the cups are not suitable for transport and the lids can easily become detached if the cup is inverted. Please ensure that urine samples that need to be transported are contained in the monovette tubes and not the collection cups.
Can you use dipsticks for urines with boric acid?
Yes, however, you should always check the manufacturer instructions for use (IFU) for the dipsticks you use as occasionally some are not validated for urine in boric acid. This is normally stated in the “limitations of use”.
Ideally, dipstick testing of urines should be done using the collection cup prior to decanting into the urine monovette. This is easier to perform and avoids wasting a monovette tube if the urine dipstick does not indicate a potential UTI and further testing is not required.
Is the boric acid toxic to patients?
Whilst boric acid is considered hazardous to humans in large amounts, the amount contained in each monovette does not pose a serious hazard to patients. However, as a precaution, we recommend not to inhale or ingest the white powder in the tubes. Any contact with skin/eyes should be washed with tap water. Children should not be allowed to use the monovettes without suitable adult supervision.
How have you considered elderly patients or those with dexterity issues?
The Microbiology department is not aware of any patient feedback from the move to monovettes with regards to health inequalities.
The urine monovette collection system is one of the most common urine collection devices used across NHS organisations for pathology testing and has been positively received by patients who have used it.
The urine collection system is designed to improve hygiene and reduce sample contamination. For the elderly, it replaces messy pouring; however, the plunger mechanism requires sufficient hand strength, meaning caregivers may need to assist with transferring the sample from a collection cup.
Can we use a different cup?
A different collection cup (other than those supplied by Pathology) can be used as long it is aseptically produced and IVD compliant for urine collection. Plastic or other containers (e.g. plastic jugs, takeaway food containers) even when rinsed out using tap water, must not be used for collecting urine samples.
How will you support with patient communications?
There is a one page user guide with illustrations which is available on the CHFT website which can also be printed if required.
Patients can also use this YouTube video: Urine collection: Instruction for hygenic urine collection with the Urine Monovette® - YouTube.
Further information
We will be updating our Pathology pages on our CHFT website so you can view all information around our move to the CfLM - Pathology - Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
Thank you for your support. If you need any further information please contact colleagues as below.
Microbiology Service Lead, Swapna Jose - swapna.jose@cht.nhs.uk
Clinical Lead, Dr Anu Rajgopal - anu.rajgopal@cht.nhs.uk
For lab enquiries, please contact: Senior Biomedical Scientist (Microbiology), Zoe Potter - Zoe.Potter1@cht.nhs.uk