Collecting a Clean Catch Urine Specimen (Midstream Sampling)

Collecting a Clean Catch Urine Specimen (Midstream Sampling)

Equipment
■ Prepackaged collection kit.
■ If no kit is available: Sterile specimen container; antiseptic solution; sterile cotton balls or 2 in. 2 in. gauze pads.
■ Washcloth or towel.
■ Mild soap and water.
■ 2 pairs of clean procedure gloves.
■ Specimen identification labels.
■ Bedpan or bedside commode for an immobile patient.

Assessment
■ Assess the patient’s cognitive level to determine whether the patient will be able to follow instructions.
■ Assess for:
■ Conditions that may impair the patient’s ability to assume the necessary position.
■ Mobility status (to help determine where the specimen will be collected).
■ Ability to control urinary flow.

Post-Procedure Reassessment
■ Assess:
■ Characteristics of the urine (e.g., color, odor, clarity, crystals, blood, mucus).
■ Any difficulties with urination (e.g., pain, burning, dribbling, difficulty beginning).

Key Points
■ Don clean procedure gloves.
■ Wash the perineum or the penis first with soap and water if soiled; otherwise, use an antiseptic towelette. (For women, wash from front to back; for men, use a circular motion from urethra outward.)
■ Ask the patient to begin voiding. After the stream begins, collect a 30- to 60-mL specimen.
■ Be Safe! Maintain sterility: Do not touch the inside of the container or the container lid.
■ Place a lid on the container, label the container with the patient’s name, the date, and the time of collection, and transport it to the lab in a timely manner.
■ Follow agency policy on additional packaging. Many facilities require packaging the container in a specimen handling bag.

Documentation
■ Record urine volume in the patient record, per agency protocol; include time and date the specimen was collected.
■ Document characteristics of the urine: color, odor, particulate matter, blood, clarity, or other qualities.
■ Document any difficulty with voiding, including pain or burning with urination, frequency, or difficulty starting the urine flow.

Collecting a Clean Catch Urine Specimen (Midstream Sampling)