How to Do a Clean Catch Urine Sample

A proper clean catch, or mid-stream, urine sample is essential in providing accurate results for a urine test. A urine sample may be required for a number of reasons, including diagnosis and treatment of a urinary tract infection (UTI), evaluating treatment progress for kidney stones, or checking pH levels during pregnancy. Drug tests, as part of an annual physical exam, stress incontinence, bladder infection and acute renal failure are also reasons a urine sample may be necessary.

Things You'll Need

  • Sterile collection cup
  • Skin cleanser
  • Antiseptic cleansing cloths
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and hot water; dry them with a paper towel. Make sure that the soap does not contain any substances (lotion, scent, etc) that may interfere with the urine sample.

    • 2

      Prepare the specimen cup. Use care when opening the cup and lid, making sure to keep the cup sterile. For example, be sure to place the lid with the inner part facing up on a surface and do not put any part of your hands on the inner cup or lid.

    • 3

      Thoroughly clean the genital area with antiseptic cleansing cloths or antibacterial soap and water. Males should pull the foreskin of the penis back to assure complete cleansing of the area. Females should separate and cleanse the folds, or lips, of the vulva. Care should be used as a female cleanses that wiping occurs from front to back so that feces do not contaminate the genital area.

    • 4

      Begin to urinate. Females should hold the folds of the vulva apart with one hand so that they do not interfere with the stream.

    • 5

      Place the collection cup under the stream after urination has occurred for a few seconds. Two fluid oz. should be collected, unless otherwise specified, and the cup should be removed even if urination is still occurring. Care should be used to make sure that the collection cup does not come into contact with the genitals or anything other than urine.

    • 6

      Place the lid on the collection cup securely. If the test is going to occur more than an hour after the urine is collected, refrigerate the urine.