Collecting a urine sample from a catheter is a common procedure, often performed when a standard clean-catch sample is not feasible or a sterile specimen is required. This method helps prevent contamination, ensuring accurate diagnostic results. Proper technique is important to maintain sterility, prevent complications, and ensure sample integrity.
Essential Supplies and Preparation
Gather all necessary supplies before beginning collection. You will need non-sterile gloves, antiseptic wipes (such as alcohol swabs or chlorhexidine), a sterile syringe (10-30 mL, often Luer-lock), a sterile specimen container with a secure lid, and a catheter clamp or rubber band. Perform thorough hand hygiene. Don non-sterile gloves to maintain cleanliness. Ensure a clean working surface, using a protective drape if needed, to prevent contamination of sterile supplies.
Step-by-Step Sample Collection
Locate the sampling port on the catheter tubing, usually just below where it connects to the drainage bag. To allow fresh urine to accumulate, clamp the catheter tubing below the sampling port. Keep the clamp in place for 10 to 30 minutes, or until sufficient urine (5-10 mL for culture or 10-30 mL for urinalysis) has collected.
Thoroughly clean the sampling port with an antiseptic wipe, scrubbing vigorously for at least 15 seconds, and allow it to air dry completely. This disinfection prevents bacteria from contaminating the sample.
Once dry, insert the sterile syringe into the sampling port, avoiding contact with non-sterile surfaces. Slowly pull the plunger to withdraw the required urine. Once collected, remove the syringe from the sampling port. Immediately unclamp the catheter tubing to restore normal urine flow into the drainage bag. This prevents discomfort and complications from prolonged clamping.
Handling the Sample After Collection
After collecting urine in the syringe, transfer it to a sterile specimen container without delay. Carefully remove the container lid, placing it upside down on a clean surface to maintain sterility. Gently inject the urine from the syringe into the specimen container, avoiding contact between the syringe and the container’s interior or lid. Securely fasten the lid to prevent leakage or contamination.
Immediately label the container with the patient’s full name, date of birth, date and time of collection, and method (e.g., “catheter specimen”). Apply this label directly to the container, not the lid.
Place the labeled specimen in a clear biohazard bag for transport. Transport the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible, ideally within 20-60 minutes, to maintain integrity. If immediate transport is not possible, refrigerate the sample to slow bacterial growth, but deliver it to the lab within a few hours, generally no more than 24 hours.
Important Considerations and When to Seek Help
Always collect the urine sample from the sampling port on the catheter tubing, not directly from the drainage bag, as urine in the bag may be stagnant and contaminated. Maintain sterile technique throughout the process to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria into the urinary system. If the catheter has been in place for over 14 days, a healthcare provider may recommend changing it before collecting the sample to ensure a fresh, accurate specimen.
If you encounter difficulties collecting the sample, such as no urine accumulating after clamping or a blocked catheter, do not force collection. Contact a healthcare professional if you cannot collect urine, or if the urine appears cloudy, bloody, or has an unusual odor. If signs of infection develop, such as fever, chills, increased pain, or discomfort around the catheter site, seek medical attention promptly. These symptoms could indicate a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), requiring medical evaluation.