Urinalysis reagent test strips are an essential tool in medical diagnostics. These plastic strips are embedded with pads containing specific chemicals that react with the components of urine to produce a color1. The color produced correlates with a specific value for each pad, providing insight into various health indicators1.
What Are Urinalysis Reagent Test Strips?
The Mission® Urinalysis Strips, for example, are designed to meet the needs of healthcare professionals at the point of care2. They offer a cost-effective screening tool that provides reliable results with analytical sensitivity comparable to market leaders2. These strips are compatible for both visual and analyzer reading and come in over 35 different combinations2. They have a shelf life of 24 months for unopened canisters and 3 months once the canister is opened2.
What Do They Test For?
The parameters tested by these strips can vary. Some common parameters include Leukocytes, Nitrite, Urobilinogen, Protein, pH, Blood, Specific Gravity, Ketone, Bilirubin, and Glucose3. These parameters provide insight into the patient’s overall health and their metabolic, liver, and kidney functions2.
How Are They Used?
Using these strips is quite straightforward. The strip is simply dipped into the urine sample and then compared to a high-quality color chart to ensure accurate visual reading2. Some strips are also compatible with urine analyzers for automated reading3.
Where Can You Buy Them?
Urinalysis reagent test strips are widely available for purchase. Prices can vary depending on the number of parameters tested by the strip.
In conclusion, urinalysis reagent test strips are a valuable tool in healthcare for quick and efficient urine testing. They offer a simple yet effective way to monitor various health indicators.