Midstream urine specimen
- Caution: Thorough adherence of extraction technique, avoid contamination, inform patient of collection requirements.
- The first morning urine is best suited, as bacteria concentration is highest.
- A minimum of 3 hours should lie between obtaining the required urine sample and previous urination.
- The urine must be kept in the fridge until time of transport.
- In principle a sample should be taken before the start of antibacterial chemotherapy.
- On the request form, documentation of the date and how the urine sample was obtained (i.e. midstream urine, catheter urine etc.) is important for the assessment.
Cleaning of the outer genitals:
- The following material is required: Sterile cotton swabs, soap solution, warm water, sterile throw-away cups, sterile urine transport container.
Cleaning of women:
- Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water, rinse and dry with throw-away cloth.
- Split the labia with one hand and hold open until obtaining of urine is completed.
- With the other hand clean vulva from front to back with swabs dipped into lukewarm water or soap solution.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Dry the urinary meatus with swabs and insert a swab into the vaginal opening.
Cleaning of men:
- Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water, rinse and dry with throw-away cloth.
- Pull back foreskin completely.
- Wash glans penis with swab and soap solution.
- Rinse with second swab and warm water.
- Dry the urinary meatus with the third swab.
Description:
Obtaining of urine:
- After the first 3 seconds of passing urine start collecting 10-20ml in a sterile cup without interrupting urinary flow. Avoid contamination by hand, sides of cup or clothing.
- Fill transport tube.
- Close transport tube, add patient details and keep refrigerated until transport to the laboratory.
Transport of samples:
- The obtained urine should be taken to the laboratory as quickly as possible. Otherwise it has to be kept cool until further processing. Transportation time must not exceed 24 hours.
- For longer transportation ways the use of tubes with screw top and added stabilizer (see material order form) is recommended.
Intermittent catheterization
A single catheterization is only indicated if correct obtaining of midstream urine is not possible.
Indwelling catheter urine
Urine is not to be taken from the bag but has to be obtained by cannulation of the proximal section of the catheter, post disinfection of the puncture area.
Urinary bladder puncture urine
Obtaining of contamination free urine sample. If required for clarification of multiple questionable results. This material will also be tested anaerobically.
Morning urine
Morning urine, for instance for chlamydia via NAT (nucleic acid amplification technique): Collection of approximately 10ml urine, previous to the collection no urination should have taken place in the last 3-5 hours.
Collection urine/24-hr urine
Please refer to the relevant section. |