Ethan Rhodes
Collecting urine samples in a hospital setting is a common procedure, often done to test for kidney function, kidney problems, or urinary tract infections. Females can use a toilet hat to collect their urine, while males can use a portable urinal or a large urine storage container. It is important to follow proper cleaning and collection instructions to prevent contamination and ensure accurate test results. This includes washing hands, cleaning the genital area, and providing a midstream sample by urinating into the toilet first before collecting the sample in a sterile container.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Aim | To get a specimen (sample) of urine from the middle of the stream when passing urine (this is called a midstream sample) |
| Sample collection | Wash hands with soap and water, then dry them. Wash the genital area from front to back. Separate the genital folds (also called lips or labia) with your hand. Wipe gently inside the folds, rinse the area with clean water, then dry it carefully with a clean towel. |
| Urination | Start urinating into the toilet. After the first part of the urine has gone into the toilet, put the clean bowl/pot under the stream of urine. Collect the urine in the bowl/pot (half full is fine). Then remove the bowl/pot and finish urinating into the toilet. |
| Sample handling | If a bowl is used, inform the nurse that you have provided a sample and they will collect the bowl from you and empty the urine into the pot. If only a pot is used, put the lid on the pot and wash your hands. Label the pot clearly with your name, date, and time of the sample. Give the urine sample to your nurse or GP surgery if the sample is taken at home. |
| Sample storage | The urine must be kept cool at all times. If there is no space in the refrigerator, store it in a cooler with ice. |
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What You'll Learn
Clean the area between the labia
To clean the area between the labia, start by washing your hands with soap and water. Dry them with a paper towel. Next, open the urine cup without touching the inside. Place the lid down with the inside facing up. If you accidentally touch the inside of the cup or the lid, ask for a new one.
Now, you will clean the area between the labia. Spread your labia—the folds of skin around your urinary opening and vagina—with the thumb and forefinger of your non-dominant hand (the hand you don't write with). Using a clean moist wipe or clean washcloth with soap and water, gently wipe between the inner folds of the labia, moving from front to back. Rinse the area with clean water and dry it carefully with a clean towel.
It is important to keep the area clean and dry to prevent any germs from contaminating the urine sample. This process helps ensure that the urine sample is free from any bacteria or germs that may be present on the skin.
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Wash hands with soap and water
Washing your hands with soap and water is a critical step in the process of collecting a female urine sample in a hospital. This simple act helps to ensure that the sample remains uncontaminated and that the overall procedure is hygienic and safe. Here is a detailed breakdown of the handwashing step:
- Begin by locating a sink in the bathroom.
- Wet your hands with clean, running water. Ensure that the water temperature is warm, as this can help dissolve dirt and grease, and promote better cleaning.
- Apply soap to your hands. Any standard soap will suffice, but it should be something mild and gentle on the skin.
- Lather your hands well by rubbing them together vigorously. Be sure to create a rich lather and cover all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers, and under your nails. This process should last for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse your hands thoroughly under clean, running water to remove all traces of soap.
- Dry your hands using a clean, unused towel or a single-use paper towel. If using a hand dryer, ensure it is in good working condition and dries your hands completely.
This handwashing step is essential to prevent the spread of germs and ensure the cleanliness of the urine sample. It is a simple yet vital part of the process and should not be overlooked or rushed.
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Use a clean kit to collect urine
To collect a urine sample in a hospital, a patient will be provided with a urine collection kit. This kit will contain a cup with a lid and wipes.
Before using the kit, it is important to wash your hands with soap and warm water. It is also important not to touch the inside of the cup or the inside of the lid. Place the lid on a flat surface with the inside facing up.
If you are using a kit provided by a hospital, it may include special wipes. Open the wipes but keep them wrapped until you are ready to use them. If you are using your own wipes, ensure they are clean, moist, and unscented.
To collect the urine sample, separate your labia (the folds of skin around your urinary opening and vagina) with your non-dominant hand. Use the first wipe to clean the inner folds of the labia, wiping from front to back. Use a second wipe to clean the opening where urine comes out (urethra), just above the vaginal opening.
Keeping your labia spread open, start urinating into the toilet. After the first part of the urine has gone into the toilet, stop the flow of urine and place the cup under the stream of urine. Collect the urine until the cup is half full, then finish urinating into the toilet.
If you are using a bowl provided by the hospital, inform the nurse that you have provided a sample, and they will collect the bowl and empty the urine into a separate pot. If you are using a pot with a lid, put the lid on the pot and wash your hands. Label the pot or cup clearly with your name, the date, and the time the sample was taken. Finally, give the urine sample to a nurse or healthcare provider.
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Collect mid-stream urine
Collecting Mid-Stream Urine Samples from Females in Hospital
Preparation
If you are providing a urine sample in a hospital, a nurse or doctor will give you a small pot with a red lid. This pot will be inside a special kit that contains a cup with a lid and wipes, or a clean moist wipe or clean washcloth with soap and water. Wash your hands with soap and warm water, and dry them.
Collecting the Sample
Remove the lid from the pot. Do not touch the inside of the lid or the inside of the pot. Place the lid flat side down on the counter.
Using a clean moist wipe or clean washcloth with soap and water, wash your genital area from front to back. Use two fingers to gently spread open and clean the inner folds of the labia, then wipe over the urethra, just above the vagina. Rinse the area with clean water and dry it carefully with a clean towel.
Start urinating into the toilet, and after the first part of the urine has gone into the toilet, put the clean pot under the stream of urine. Collect the mid-stream urine in the pot until it is half full, then remove the pot and finish urinating into the toilet.
After Collection
If a bowl was used, inform the nurse that you have provided a sample, and they will collect the bowl and empty the urine into the pot. If only the pot was used, put the lid on the pot and wash your hands. Label the pot clearly with your name, the date, and the time of the sample. Give the sample to your nurse.
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Store urine in a cool place
Urine samples must be kept cool at all times. If you are storing urine for a drug test, the sooner you can use the sample, the better. If you are unable to use the sample within an hour, it is recommended to refrigerate or freeze the urine.
For 24-hour urine specimens, the urine must be kept cool at all times. If there is no space in the refrigerator, you can store the urine in a cooler with ice. The urine should be kept at a temperature of 2°C to 8°C.
If you are collecting a urine sample at a hospital, the nurse will give you a small pot with a red lid. After collecting the sample, inform the nurse, and they will take the bowl from you and empty the urine into the pot. Label the pot with your name, date, and time of the sample.
If you are collecting a urine sample at home, you can use a clean plastic container. Wash the container with dish soap and rinse it at least 10 times with tap water. Allow it to air dry completely before using it. After collecting the sample, take the container to the hospital to be analysed.
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