What are the instructions given to collect urine sample for microbiological examination?

LTD-Urine: Specimen Collection Version 6

Specimen Collection: Urines

Specimens should processed as soon as possible. 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.

1. Clean void

Equipment: Specimen container, gloves, 3 antiseptic wipes, U-Bag

(infants and toddlers)

Site preparation:

For female patients, separate the labia and cleanse the urinary meatus

with one antiseptic wipe at a time. Wipe from front to back. For male

patients, cleanse the urinary meatus with one antiseptic wipe at a time.

After the patient has started urinating, collect a small amount of urine

in the specimen container.

2. Foley catheter

Equipment: Gloves, alcohol swabs, 21-25 gauge needle attached to

5cc sterile syringe, sterile specimen cup.

Site preparation:

Swab the foley catheter tubing puncture port with alcohol swab.

Allow to dry

Allow the urine to collect in the tube beneath the puncture port.

Insert the needle into the puncture port.

Aspirate 5cc of urine and place in the sterile specimen container.

3. Twenty-four hour urine collection

Equipment: Plastic specimen container labeled with patient’s name,

unit number, date, time specimen begins and ends.

Notify lab of any missed specimen samples. Follow Laboratory

Test Directory guidelines for specific instructions.

4. Routine Urinalysis

Equipment: Routine urine specimen container

1. Cleanse the peri-anal area with disinfectant moist towelette or

soap and water

2. Rinse.

3. Apply pediatric U-bag, have patient void in plastic cup, or urinal.

4. Pour the specimen into the urine container to the 12 mL level.

5. Urine for GC or Chlamydia DNA detection- ages 14 and over.

Neisseria gonorrheae CT/NG DNA GeneXpert

Chlamydia CT/NG DNA GeneXpert

NOTE: This test is not used for medical-legal purposes or with prepubertal

children.

Collection: First morning voided urine specimen. Urine must be 20-

50mL, not midstream, collect first void in a leak-proof sterile container.

6. Labeling: Properly label specimens with at least two patient identifiers,

such as name, medical record number, and date of birth

References:

Bowden, V.R., Smith Greenberg, C.(2008). Pediatric Nursing Procedures, 2nd Ed.

Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Isenberg, H.D. (2004). Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, Volume 2.

Washington, D.C.: The ASM Press.

User Assay Training, Xpert CT/NG GeneXpert, February 2013

Jorgensen James. Manual of Clinical Microbiology 11th Edition, ASM Press 2015

You should:

  • collect your pee (urine) sample in a completely clean (sterile) container
  • store it in a fridge in a sealed plastic bag if you can't hand it in straight away

Collecting a urine sample

Your doctor or another healthcare professional should give you a container and explain how you should collect the urine sample. 

You can collect a urine sample at any time of day, unless your GP or practice nurse advises you otherwise.

The types of urine sample you might be asked for include a random specimen, first morning specimen or timed collection.

To collect a urine sample you should:

  • label a sterile, screw-top container with your name, date of birth and the date
  • wash your hands 
  • start to pee and collect a sample of urine "mid-stream" in the container
  • screw the lid of the container shut
  • wash your hands thoroughly

Follow any other instructions your doctor has given you.

What is a mid-stream urine sample?

A mid-stream urine sample means you don't collect the first or last part of urine that comes out. This reduces the risk of the sample being contaminated with bacteria from:

  • your hands 
  • the skin around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body

Storing a urine sample

If you can't hand your urine sample in within 1 hour, you should put the container in a sealed plastic bag then store it in the fridge at around 4C. Do not keep it for longer than 24 hours.

The bacteria in the urine sample can multiply if it is not kept in a fridge. If this happens, it could affect the test results.

What urine samples are used for?

Your GP or another healthcare professional may ask for a urine sample to help them diagnose or rule out certain health conditions.

Urine contains waste products that are filtered out of the body. If the sample contains anything unusual, it may indicate an underlying health problem.

Urine tests are most commonly done to check:

  • for infections – such as a urinary tract infection (UTI) or some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia in men
  • if you are passing any protein in your urine as a result of kidney damage – this is known as an ACR test

Find out more about operations, tests and procedures.

Further information

  • How should I collect and store a sample of poo (stool sample)?
  • How soon can I do a pregnancy test? 
  • Lab Tests Online UK: urine tests

Page last reviewed: 27 August 2019
Next review due: 27 August 2022

What instructions should be given to the patient when collecting a urine sample?

Collecting a urine sample.
label a sterile, screw-top container with your name, date of birth and the date..
wash your hands..
start to pee and collect a sample of urine "mid-stream" in the container..
screw the lid of the container shut..
wash your hands thoroughly..

How do you collect a urine sample in microbiology?

Urine Culture Collection.
Wash hands with soap and water, rinse and dry..
WASH area around urethra with soap..
RINSE area with warm water..
VOID- Pass the first portion of urine into the toilet and then pass a portion (1 ounce) of the remaining urine into a sterile container..

What are 4 ways to collect a urine sample?

How Is Urine Collected for Analysis?.
Clean-catch (CC).
Sterile urine bag..
Suprapubic aspiration (SPA).
Urethral catheterization (Cath).

What advise you give to collect urine?

Wash the genital area with water and pat dry with a clean towel. Wash your hands with soap and water..
Clean container or foil bowl..
Urine sample bottle or test tube as provided..
Clean funnel or oral syringe (if required).