How to Collect a Specimen From an Ileal Conduit

When certain medical conditions affect your ability to urinate, a surgical procedure called urinary diversion may be needed. Urinary diversion is a way for urine to pass from your body differently than the usual route. One type of urinary diversion is called an ileostomy or ileal conduit. This procedure uses a part of your small intestine, called the ileum. The ileum is used to create a tube that drains urine through an opening in your stomach, called a urostomy or a stoma. A disposable collection bag, sometimes called an appliance, is attached to the outside of your stomach. The collection bag acts as a reservoir and collects urine that passes from the stoma. Collecting a urine specimen from an ileal conduit is a basic procedure that can be performed by healthcare professionals or home caregivers.

Things You'll Need

• #14 French catheterization kit
• Clean washcloth
• Clean towel
• Non-sterile disposable gloves
• New urostomy appliance

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Instructions

Instructions

• 1

  Provide privacy to protect the patient's dignity. Alleviate patient fears by explaining the procedure beforehand.

• 2

  Sanitize your hands with antibacterial soap and water. Dry them thoroughly, then gather your supplies. Put on non-sterile disposable gloves.

• 3

  Remove the urostomy appliance bag by gently peeling back the adhesive edges. As you peel the adhesive, keep the skin from being pulled by lightly pressing on the surrounding skin with your opposite hand. Once the appliance has been removed, it should never be reused. Discard it into a receptacle.

• 4

  Dampen a wash cloth with warm water. Gently clean the urostomy stoma and surrounding skin. After the area is cleaned, pat it dry with a clean towel. It is normal to see small amounts of urine coming out of the stoma opening. Drape a towel under the stoma site to absorb urine.

• 5

  Remove your contaminated gloves and discard them. Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry them thoroughly.

• 6

  Open the urinary catheterization kit. The catheters contained in each kit may vary in size. It is preferable to use a #14 French catheter, unless otherwise ordered by the physician. Be sure you are using the correct size catheter for this procedure.

• 7

  Put on the sterile gloves that are provided in the kit.

• 8

  Open the packet of lubricating gel and lubricate the first 4 inches of the catheter tip.

• 9

  Cleanse the stoma thoroughly using the provided cleansing solution.

• 10

  Insert the catheter tip approximately 2 1/4 inches into the stoma. If no urine flows from the catheter, have the patient change their position until the urine drains freely.

• 11

  Collect the urine by placing the end of the catheter into the collection container provided in the kit. Once the container is filled, put the lid on tightly to protect it from contamination.

• 12

  Remove the catheter and apply a new urostomy appliance bag.

• 13

  Label the specimen container according to your facility's protocol. Make a special note on the laboratory slip from which the specimen was collected from an ileal conduit. Send the specimen to the laboratory promptly.