Sterile Collection of Urine

what kind of specimen is a clean-catch (midstream) specimen?

a sterile specimen

• do not touch the inside with anything

how should a female clean for a clean-catch?

1. separate labia

2. clean front to back using a new wipe for right, left, and middle

what is the midstream technique?

void ~30 mL into the toilet first, then without stopping move the sterile cup into the stream and collect ~10 mL

in a midstream urine specimen, what should the patient do first?

void ~30 mL into the toilet first

in a midstream urine specimen, what should the patient do after voiding 30mLs?

without stopping, move the sterile cup into the stream and collect ~10 mL

how much sterile urine is collected in the end of a midstream urine specimen

10 mLs

what are sterility rules for the clean-catch cup?

do not touch the inside of the cup with hands, gloves, skin, or toilet paper

how should an uncircumcised male clean for a clean-catch?

retract foreskin

• clean in a circular motion from meatus outward

• replace foreskin after collection

what minimum volume is needed for a UA?

about 10 mL

what minimum volume is needed for a urine culture (C&S)?

about 3 mL

where do you take a specimen from a Foley catheter?

from the sampling port on the tubing only, never from the drainage bag

why never sample from the drainage bag?

bag urine is not fresh and may change results and increase contamination risk

when using a foley sampling port, what do you do if urine isn’t present at that time?

clamp the tubing briefly (do not exceed 30 mins) under the sampling port

• clean the access port with alcohol swab and let air dry

what syringe size is used for routine UA Foley specimens?

• ~10 mL for UA

• ~3–5 mL for culture

when is a straight cath used just for a specimen?

when a sterile specimen is absolutely needed, such as in an incontinent patient

why keep the catheter system closed?

breaking the system introduces bacteria; never break seals or connections to get a sample