Specimen Requirements

15 mL from a random urine collection (first-morning specimen preferred) collected as follows:

Non-preserved specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection.

Preservative tube may be submitted for the culture only.

Males - Midstream Clean Catch

1. Wash and dry hands with soap.
2. Foreskin must be completely retracted and glans penis cleansed with soapy water. Surplus soap is removed with warm, sterile water.
3. Patient should void approximately 20 mL to 25 mL of urine into toilet and then pass a portion of midstream urine into a screw-capped, sterile container.
4. Label container with patient’s information, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Send specimen refrigerated. Forward promptly.
Note:  1. Specimen collection method is required on request form for processing.
2. Specimens should be added up to designated line on preservative tubes. Preserved specimens can be stored refrigerated or at ambient temperature for up to 48 hours.

Females - Midstream Clean Catch
1. Wash hands with soap.
2. If menstruating, insert a fresh tampon or use cotton to stop flow.
3. With 1 hand, spread labia and keep them continuously apart until urine is voided.
4. Taking a saturated soapy sponge, wash vulva well, passing from front to back. Discard sponge. While vulva is still spread, repeat the front to back wash with remaining sponges, discarding each as its use is finished. Patient should rinse with warm sterile water to eliminate the possibility of contaminating specimen with soap.
5. Patient should void approximately 20 mL to 25 mL of urine into toilet.
6. Collect midstream portion of urine into a screw-capped, sterile container. Cup should be held in such a way that contact with legs, vulva, or clothing is avoided.
7. Label container with patient’s information, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
8. Send specimen refrigerated. Forward promptly.
Note:  1. Specimen collection method is required on request form for processing.

2. Specimens should be added up to designated line on preservative tubes. Preserved specimens can be stored refrigerated or at ambient temperature for up to 48 hours.