Step-by-Step Midstream Clean Catch Urine Collection

Commonplace in most health care professionals' offices, urinalysis requires the collection of a sample of urine. Multiple routine tests are then performed on this sample. These tests provide preliminary information regarding your kidneys and their functioning as well as other metabolic processes occurring in your body. Urinalysis consists of a laboratory examination of appearance, color, odor, pH, specific gravity and content of the urine sample.

Process

• When collecting a urine sample, your health care provider will provide you with specific instructions on how to obtain the sample they prefer. If your doctor wants the most accurate results, he will ask you to obtain a clean-catch urine sample. To obtain a clean-catch specimen, you will first have to clean your urinary opening. For men, this requires you to wipe the tip of your penis with the provided cleanser. For women, this requires you to spread apart your labia and wipe from front to back with the provided cleanser. After cleaning your urinary opening, start urinating and then stop after a second or two. At this time, you will begin urinating again into the provided container. After the container is full, stop urinating again to place the container to the side. Finally, finish urinating as you normally would. Provide the sample to your doctor for your urinalysis.

  There are generally no restrictions before or after your sample collection. The doctor will immediately send off your sample to the laboratory for analysis.