Urines

URINE SPECIMEN COLLECTION

All specimens submitted to the laboratory should be labeled with at least two patient identifiers:

• Patient name
• Medica Record Number or Date of Birth

The samples should also be labeled with:

• The specimen type
• The collection date and time
• The collector's initials or employee ID number

 

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used during all collection procedures. Refer to department policies or Infection Control for more information.

 

 

Clean-voided midstream urine

Equipment/Materials:

• Sterile specimen container
• Antiseptic wipes or cleansing towelettes,
• U-Bag (infants and toddlers)

Specimen Collection:

1. Cleans the urethral area:
   • For female patients, separate the labia and cleanse the urinary meatus with one antiseptic wipe at a time. Wipe from front to back.
   • For circumcised male patients, cleanse the urinary meatus with one antiseptic wipe at a time.
   • For uncircumcised male patients, retract the foreskin and cleanse the glans penis with an antiseptic wipe, paying particular attention to the urethral meatus.
2. Instruct the patient to start urinating. Do not collect the first few mL of urine collected, as these are often contaminated with urogenital flora. 
3. Collect urine into a sterile specimen cup.

 

Indwelling (Foley) Catheter

Equipment:

• 70% Alcohol swabs
• 21-25 gauge needle attached to sterile syringe,
• Sterile specimen cup.

Specimen Collection:

1. Swab the catheter tubing puncture port with an alcohol swab.
2. Allow to dry
3. Allow the urine to collect in the tube beneath the puncture port.
4. Insert the needle into the puncture port.
5. Aspirate the urine and transfer to the sterile specimen container.

 

Intermittent (Straight, In-and-Out) Catheter

Equipment:

• Cleansing wipes
• Catheter

 

Specimen Collection:

1. Cleans the patient's urethral opening with cleansing wipes and rinse with sterile water.
2. Using aseptic technique, pass the catheter into the bladder.
3. Collect and discard the first 5-30 mL of urine and discard.
4. Collect the next flow of urine and transfer into a sterile container. 

 

Ileal conduit

Equipment:

• 70% alcohol wipes
• Iodine
• Double catheter

 

Specimen Collection

1. Remove the external device.
2. Cleanse the stoma with 70% alcohol followed by iodine.
3. Remove the iodine with alcohol.
4. Insert a double catheter into the cleansed stoma, to a depth beyond the fascial level, and collect the urine.

 

Suprapubic Aspirate

This procedure is generally performed by providers. Refer to Department specific policies for more information. 

Equipment:

• 70% alcohol
• Lancet
• Syringe and needle
• Sterile specimen container

 

Specimen Collection

1. Bladder should be full and palpable before aspiration.
2. Shave and disinfect the skin over the bladder with 70% alcohol.
3. Make a small lancet wound through the epidermis above the pubic symphysis.
4. Aspirate using a needle and syringe.
5. Transfer urine into a sterile specimen container. 

 

Cystoscopic-collected Urine

This procedure is generally done by OR or Urology staff. Refer to department specific policies for more information. 

 

24-Hour Urine

Equipment/Supplies:

• 24-hour urine container.

 

Specimen Collection:

1. Pour all urine collected in the 24-hour period into the same container. Store container at refrigeration for the duration of the collection process. 
2. Request additional containers, as needed. 

 

 

 

 

Urine Submitted for Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae (CT/NG) PCR Panel

Unlike most other urine-based laboratory testing, urine samples submitted for CT/NG testing will ideally contain as much urogenital flora as possible, as it increases the likelihood that the sample will contain detactable amounts of Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. 

Note: Urine contaminated with blood will often yield Invalid results for the CT/NG PCR Panel.

 

Equipment:

• Sterile specimen container

 

Specimen Collection:

1. Cleansing prior to sample collection is unnecessary.
   • Exception: wipe away any excessive menstrual blood from the vulva/urethral area.
2. Instruct the patient to void. They should collect the first 10-50 mL of urine in a sterile collection cup.
3. Secure the cap and submit the sample to the laboratory. 

 

 

Transporting Urine to the Laboratory

1. Send specimens to the laboratory as soon as possible.
2. If the specimen is not processed within 2 hours, refrigeration for up to 24 hours is acceptable.
   • The use of the BD C&S Preservative Plus Urine Tube is acceptable to hold the urine up to 24 hours at room temperature provided that the system is used.

 

 

Last updated: 11/21/2025

 

 

References:

1. Bowden, V.R., Smith Greenberg, C.(2008). Pediatric Nursing Procedures, 2nd Ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2. Isenberg, H.D. (2004). Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, Volume 2. Washington, D.C.: The ASM Press.
3. User Assay Training, Xpert CT/NG GeneXpert, February 2013
4. Jorgensen James. Manual of Clinical Microbiology 11th Edition, ASM Press 2015