Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Urine for culture must be collected by catheterization or clean-catch method.

Catheterized Specimen

1. Avoid sending urine that has remained stagnant in catheter tubing for any length of time, do not send catheter bag urine, and avoid sending urine from catheters that have been in place longer than 5 to 9 days.

2. Clean catheter with an alcohol sponge, puncture with sterile needle, and collect 10 mL to 25 mL of urine in sterile syringe.

3. After urine collection, completely fill 1 special boric acid vial (B-D Collection Kit) with urine.

4. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last), MR# or DOB, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature. If there is a delay in transport, send specimen refrigerated.

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

       Urine submitted in a BD Collection Kit (preserved grey top) is acceptable for testing up to 72 hours

Clean-Catch Specimen

1. Instruct patient to collect clean-catch urine as follows:

Males

A. Holding back foreskin with 1 hand, if necessary, use a Towelette® to wash end of penis and allow to air dry.

B. Remove lid of container. Do not touch inside of container or lid.

C. Continue holding back foreskin and begin to urinate into toilet. After urine stream is established, move container into stream and fill approximately 1/2 full.

D. Finish urinating into toilet.

E. Replace lid on container tightly.

Females

A. Remove lid of container. Do not touch inside of container or lid.

B. If menstruating, insert a fresh tampon or stop flow with cotton.

C. Separate outer folds of vagina with 1 hand (keep separated until specimen is collected).

D. With other hand, gently wash vaginal area from front to back, using a Towelette®. Repeat 2 more times.

E. Continue holding outer vaginal folds apart and begin to urinate into toilet. After urine stream is established, move container into stream and fill approximately 1/2 full.

F. Finish urinating into toilet.

G. Replace lid on container tightly.

2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), MR# or DOB, and date and actual time of collection.

3. After urine collection, completely fill 1 special boric acid vial (B-D Collection Kit) with urine.

4. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature. If there is a delay in transport, send specimen refrigerated.

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

   Urine submitted in a BD Collection Kit (preserved grey top) is acceptable for testing up to 72 hours