Reference Manual

Urine Culture

A clean catch specimen is necessary to confirm the presence or absence of infectious organisms. The specimen must be free of any contaminating matter that might be present on the genital organs. Cleansing agents, soap or detergent must be rinsed away from the urethral area before the specimen is collected.

The patient should be given an antiseptic towelette and a yellow Sterile Cup with Transfer Port. The Small/Black Yellow Tube is set aside until ready to transfer the sample from the sterile cup. Refer to the Instructions for Submitting Sample to the Laboratory.

Patient Urine Collection Instructions: 

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Unscrew the lid of the urine specimen cup. Place the lid lip-up on the counter. Avoid touching the inside of the cup or lid.
  3. Open the towelette pack:

Female (PDF Version) – If menstruating, first insert a fresh tampon or use cotton to stop the flow. Separate skin folds of the urinary opening. Clean urinary opening and surrounding area, front to back, with the antiseptic towelette.

Male (PDF Version) – Clean the tip of the penis, including the urinary opening, with the antiseptic towelette.

  1. Urinate into the toilet for a few seconds.
  2. Place the collection cup into the stream of urine until the cup is 3/4 full, taking care not to touch the inside of the cup.
  3. Finish urinating into the toilet.
  4. Carefully place lid back on the cup to securely close.  Return the collected urine cup to the nurse or refrigerate at 2-8°C until ready to submit to the laboratory.
  5. Wash hands with soap and water.
  6. Follow “Instructions for Submitting Sample to the Laboratory” below.

Spanish PDF Version: Male or Female

Instructions for Submitting Sample to the Laboratory

  1. Peel back the protective sticker of the cup’s lid to expose the transfer port.
  2. Insert the stopper of the Small/Black Yellow Top Tube into the transfer port. This will pierce the stopper and allow to automatically fill. Allow tube to fill until flow ceases. Remove the tube.

Note: If less than 20 mL is collected in the cup, the cup should be tilted to avoid drawing air into the Small/Black Yellow Top Tube.

Note: If more than one tube will be filled, loosen the lid slightly more than a quarter turn to normalize the pressure inside the cup.

  1. Gently invert the tube(s) 10 times.
  2. Discard the cup after use.