All patients should void the first part of the specimen into the toilet, then collect the remainder of the specimen in a sterile container. Urine samples for routine culture must be transported in the urine transport tubes provided by Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute.
Urine samples for mycobacteria or fungus culture may be submitted in a sterile screw cap container. Keep urine refrigerated.
To obtain a clean catch sample of urine from a female patient, a thorough cleansing of the periurethral area is essential before specimen collection. Wash the area with a disinfectant, thoroughly rinse with clean water, and make all efforts to avoid any contact until urination is complete.
For a male patient, a thorough cleansing of the glans penis with disinfectant followed by a complete rinse with clean water is required.
For in-dwelling catheters, obtain the specimen with a needle and syringe. Select a puncture site 1-2 inches distal to the meatus and clamp below the puncture site. Cleanse the area to be punctured with 70% alcohol. Aspirate exactly 5 mL of urine with a sterile needle and syringe. Deliver this volume directly into a sterile urine transport tube available from Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute. Specimens obtained from the collection bag are not suitable for analysis. Foley tips will not be accepted.
For cytoscopic or suprapubic aspiration, follow standard procedure and obtain the specimen by aspiration. Transport the specimen in anaerobic transport tubes available from Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute. Keep urine refrigerated.