a. Review patient’s clinical record to verify physician’s order for a clean catch urine specimen.

b. Assemble the necessary equipment.

(1) Antiseptic towelettes.

(2) Disposable gloves for nurse if assisting a female patient.

(3) Sterile specimen container.

c. Approach and identify the patient.

d. Explain the procedure to the patient. Patient will be asked to collect a virtually uncontaminated midstream urine specimen. (This is commonly referred to as a “clean-catch” urine specimen.) Because the urethra orifice is colonized by bacteria, urine readily becomes contaminated during voiding.

e. Instruct the male patient in the steps of collecting a clean-catch urine specimen.

(1) Instruct the patient to expose glands and cleanse area around meatus. Wash area with a mild antiseptic solution (towelettes).

(2) Allow the initial urinary flow to escape into toilet or urinal.

(3) Collect the midstream urine specimen in a sterile container.

(4) Avoid collecting the last few drops of urine. (Prostatic secretions may be introduced into urine at the end of the urinary stream.)

f. Instruct the female patient in the steps of collecting a clean catch urine specimen.

(1) Ask the patient to separate her labia to expose the urethra orifice. Keeping the labia separated prevents labial or vaginal contamination of the urine specimen.

(2) Cleanse the area around the urinary meatus with antiseptic towelettes.

(3) While the patient keeps her labia separated, instruct her to void forcibly. This helps wash away urethra contaminants.

(4) Allow initial urinary flow to drain into bedpan (toilet) and catch the midstream specimen in a sterile container.

g. Instruct the patient to repeat the steps of the procedure. Correct misinformation/understanding as needed.

h. Instruct patient to obtain the required specimen. (Assist as necessary.)

i. Send the specimen to the laboratory immediately.

j. Record the procedure in the patient’s clinical records and report significant observation to the Charge Nurse.