Specimen Requirements

A clean caught (midstream), freshly voided, first morning-specimen collected without preservatives is the preferred specimen. Catheter and clean caught specimens collected at other times of day are also acceptable. Specimens kept at room temperature should be analyzed within two hours of collection. Refrigeration at 2 - 8°C may be used to preserve specimens for up to 24 hours, though this is not preferred. Specimens that arrive in “homemade” containers (glass jars, pill bottles, etc.) are not acceptable.

1. Collect 12 mL of a fresh, clean-catch, midstream urine as follows:

Males

A. Prepare obstetrical Towelette by opening packages (do not remove Towelette until ready to use), and place them on sink. Take top off of plastic urine container, and set it on edge of sink. Set Towelettes and container so that they can be reached while urinating.

B. Holding back foreskin with 1 hand, if necessary, use first Towelette to wash end of penis. Discard first Towelette in wastebasket.

C. Continue holding back foreskin and gently rinse end of penis using second and third Towelette, discarding them in wastebasket when done.

D. Continue holding back foreskin and begin to urinate into toilet.

Females

A. Prepare obstetrical Towelette by opening packages (do not remove Towelette until ready to use), and place them on sink. Take top off of plastic urine container, and set it on edge of sink. Set Towelettes and container so that they can be reached while urinating.

B. Pull panties below knees so they will not interfere with urine collection. With 2 fingers of 1 hand, hold outer folds of vagina apart. With other hand, gently wash vaginal area from front to back, using first Towelette. After this step, throw away first Towelette in wastebasket.

C. Still holding outer vaginal skin away from opening through which urination takes place, rinse area from front to back using Towelette #2, discard, and then repeat with Towelette #3.

D. Continue holding outer vaginal folds apart and begin to urinate into toilet. Lean slightly forward so that urine flows directly down without running along skin.

2. After first few teaspoons, place screw-capped, sterile container under stream of urine.

3. After finishing, tighten cap on container securely and wash any spilled urine from outside of container.

4. Label container as Urine, Progressive and label with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of collection, type of specimen, and collector’s initials.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. If there is a delay in transport of ≥2 hours, send specimen refrigerated.

Note: Urine submitted in a grey-top tube is not acceptable for testing. Ideally, urines should be submitted without preservatives. However, red/yellow swirl-top “UA Preservative” tubes have been validated as acceptable for UA and UWM testing and may therefore be used.