Patient Instructions

bluediamondUrine Specimens (Male)  bluediamond Urine Specimens (Female)    blue diamond Stool Specimens

URINE SPECIMEN COLLECTION-MALE

CLEAN-CATCH URINE SPECIMENS

  1. Patient Instructions for Obtaining Clean-Catch Urine-Males
  1. Wet paper towel and open soap towelette.
  2. Retract the foreskin if uncircumcised, and cleanse end of penis with soap towelette.
  3. Cleanse again with wet paper towel to remove soap.
  4. Urinate small amount into toilet and continue to urinate remainder into specimen container, being careful not to touch the top or inside of container.
  5. DISCARD TOWELETTE AND PAPER TOWEL IN WASTE CONTAINER. DO NOT THROW IN TOILET.
  6. Place lid on container and give urine specimen to nurse.
  7. If immediate transport (<1 hour) to the lab is not possible, nursing staff will transfer the specimen to a urine transport device.

Reference:

Koneman EW. 1988. Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology, 3rd ed., JP Lippincott, Philadelphia.
Miller JM. 1999. A Guide to Specimen Management in Clinical Microbiology. ASM Press. Washington DC. 2nd Edition

URINE SPECIMEN COLLECTION-FEMALE

I. CLEAN-CATCH URINE SPECIMENS

  1. Patient Instructions for Obtaining Clean-Catch Urine Specimens (Females)
  1. Remove underclothing completely and sit comfortably on seat, swinging one knee to the side as far as you can.
  2. Spread the labial folds with one hand and continue to hold the labial folds apart while you clean and collect the specimen.
  3. Wash. Be sure to wash and rinse well before you collect the urine sample. Using the cleaning materials supplied, wipe from the front of your genital area towards the back. Wash between the folds of the skin as carefully as you can. Repeat.
  4. Rinse. After you have washed with each soap pad, rinse with a water-moistened pad with the same front-to-back motion. Do not use any pad more than once.
  5. Hold yourself apart with one hand and allow the first few drops of urine to pass into the toilet bowl. With the ther hand, hold the collection cup on the outside and pass the remaining urine into the cup.
  6. Place the lid on the container and give the urine specimen to the nurse.
  7. If immediate transport (<1 hour) to the lab is not possible, nursing staff will transfer the specimen to a urine transport device.

Reference:
Koneman EN, 1988. Diagnostic Microbiology, 3rd ed., JB Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, PA
Miller JM. 1999. A Guide to Specimen Management in Clinical Microbiology. ASM Press. Washington DC.  2nd Edition

STOOL SPECIMEN COLLECTION

NOTE: The patient should be instructed not to take antacids, oily laxatives, or antidiarrheal medication unless prescribed by a physician, prior to the collection of the sample(s). Radiological examinations utilizing contrast chemicals (e.g., bismuth, barium) should be avoided prior to collection of the fecal specimen for parasite analysis.

  1. You have been asked to collect a stool sample for laboratory analysis. The collection set may contain 1, 2, or 3 vials. If multiple specimens must be collected, collect on consecutive days, not on the same day. The vials will contain liquid. NOTE: The liquids are poisonous. Do not drink or pour out liquid. Keep out of the reach of children or pets.

  2. IMPORTANT: Please wash hands before beginning the procedure.
    DO NOT pass the specimen into the toilet.
    DO NOT pass the specimen directly into the collection vial.
    DO NOT urinate on the specimen or into the collection vial.
    DO NOT allow any water to mix with the specimen.

  3. Collect the stool specimen (bowel movement) in any clean, dry wide-mouth container, bedpan, or on a plastic plate or clean newspaper, plastic bag, or clean diaper. This prevents the fecal specimen from falling into the toilet bowl.

  4. Carefully open the Protofix-CLR/ETM vials. 

  5. Using the spoon attached to cap, add approximately three spoonfuls of firm stool, or five spoonfuls of soft stool, to each vial. It is important to sample areas of the specimen which appear bloody, slimy, or watery. If the stool is firm, sample small amounts from each end and the middle of the specimen. Fill each vial with enough specimen so that the liquid reaches the "fill line" located on the label.

    NOTE: Hard stools are not acceptable for routine culture. Formed, hard stools are not acceptable for Clostridium difficile testing.

  6. Thoroughly mix the specimen and the liquid in the vial using the spatula. Fill only one vial at a time and replace the spoon/cap onto the same vial it came from. Do not mix spoons/caps with other vials.
  7. Replace the spoon/cap and close tightly.

  8. Shake each vial until the specimen is well mixed with the liquid in the vial.

  9. Label the vials with
    1. Patient name.
    2. Date and time specimen was collected.
    3. Specimen number if more than one specimen was taken, for example #1, #2, and #3.
    4. Check the box that best describes your stool sample.

  10. Place the vial(s) in the original package and seal securely.

  11. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

  12. Return all specimens to the laboratory as soon as possible. Do not refrigerate.

  13. Please note on the label if specimen is bloody.

  14. IMPORTANT: If any liquid from the vial or stool specimen gets into your eyes or on your skin, rinse the area with plenty of water. If any discomfort or irritation develops, contact a physician.


    ANTIDOTE IF SWALLOWED: Give plent of milk or water. Follow with a tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water and repeat until the vomit is clear. Contact a physician or local poison control center IMMEDIATELY.

Reference:
Alpha-Tec Product Insert. Directions for Stool Specimen Collection Set. 2005.