What must a collector ensure during a urine collection?

A collector must ensure a proper chain of custody during a urine collection to maintain the integrity and legality of the testing process. The chain of custody is a critical procedure that documents the handling of the urine sample from the moment it is collected until the test results are reported. This includes accurate identification of the donor, secure packaging of the sample, and detailed tracking of who handles the sample and when. This meticulous documentation safeguards against tampering, contamination, or mishandling, and ensures that the sample can be traced back through each stage of analysis if necessary.

Maintaining a proper chain of custody is essential for the validity of drug testing, as it provides evidence that the sample is authentic, collected under proper procedures, and has not been altered or contaminated. This is crucial for legal and compliance reasons, especially in jobs requiring drug testing, as it protects both the collectors and the organizations relying on test results to make informed decisions.