Typically, when your doctor or employer needs a urine sample from you, they will ask you to try to get a midstream sample. This means that they want you to collect the urine midway through the urination process. The reason they ask for this is so you do not accidentally get bacteria from your urethra in the sample. This could interfere with the results of the urine screen and could possibly lead to a misdiagnosis. Below are instructions for providing a good midstream urine collection for your doctor or employer.
How to Complete a Midstream Urine Sample
Read the instructions that are given to you very carefully. Some doctors and laboratories have specific instructions, so it is important that you follow them in order to give the best sample.
Write your name, the date, and any other information that is asked of you on the specimen cup. This will ensure that the technician who tests your urine will know who it belongs to which will reduce the chances of your results getting mixed up with another patient’s results.
Wash your hands very well with soap and water. Then make sure that you dry them well.
Unscrew the cap on the specimen cup and put it to the side. Make sure that you do not touch the inside of the cap or the inside of the cup. Doing so could contaminate the cup since everyone has bacteria of some kind on their skin.
Begin urinating in the toilet so that most of the bacteria from your urethra will go there instead of inside the cup.
When you are midway through urinating, begin filling the cup with urine until it is at least halfway full.
If you still need to urinate after you have gotten enough in the cup, you can finish going in the toilet.
Place the cap on the specimen cup and make sure to tighten it firmly.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Deliver the specimen to your doctor, nurse, or laboratory.
These are just the basic steps to completing a midstream urine sample. Some doctors or labs may require additional steps for their urine samples. For instance, some patients are asked to wipe their genital area with an alcohol wipe before they begin the process. To make sure that you provide a good sample, you should follow all of the instructions that are given to you. This way you can be sure that you will get the most accurate results from your urine test.
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