Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Container/Tube: Sterile container(s) or VACUTAINER® Urine Collection System
Specimen Volume: 2 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 mL) from a random urine collection

Collection Instructions:

A first-voided morning specimen is preferred. No preservative. Collect as follows:

Catheterized
1. Do not collect urine from drainage bag.
2. Disinfect catheter collection port with 70% alcohol.
3. Use a needle and syringe to aseptically collect urine.
4. Transfer specimen to sterile container.

5. Do not submit foley catheter tips for culture.

Note: If using VACUTAINER® Urine Collection system, fill gray-top tube (minimum volume: 1 mL) with urine.

5. Label container/tube with patient’s legal name, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Indicate method of collection (catheterized).

Clean-Catch, Midstream

Males

1. Cleanse glans with soap and water or benzalkonium chloride towelette.

2. Rinse area with water or wet gauze pads.
3. While holding foreskin retracted, begin voiding.
4. After several mL have passed, collect specimen without stopping flow of urine into container.

Note: If using VACUTAINER® Urine Collection system, fill gray-top tube (minimum volume: 1 mL) with urine.

5. Label container with patient’s legal name, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Indicate method of collection (clean-catch, midstream).

Females

1. Thoroughly cleanse urethral area with soap and water or benzalkonium chloride towelette.

2. Rinse area with water or wet gauze pads.

3. While holding labia apart, begin voiding.
4. After several mL have passed, collect specimen without stopping flow of urine into container.

Note: If using VACUTAINER® Urine Collection system, fill gray-top tube (minimum volume: 1 mL) with urine.

5. Label container with patient’s legal name, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Indicate method of collection (clean-catch, midstream).

Infants or Small Children

1. After cleansing appropriately, as above, place a sterile urine bag (U-Bag, Pedi-Bag) over labia or penis.

2. After 30 minutes, observe for presence of urine. If no urine is present, recleanse patient and attach a new bag.

3. Transfer specimen to container.

4. Label container with patient’s legal name, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Indicate method of collection (U-Bag, Pedi-Bag).

Suprapubic Aspiration

1. Expose area above pubis.
2. Scrub area with povidone-iodine surgical scrub. Cover area with povidone-iodine solution. Allow to dry.

3. Using a sterile needle and syringe, urine from bladder.

4. Transfer urine to container.

5. Label container with patient’s legal name, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Indicate method of collection (suprapubic aspiration).