Download Procedure for the collection of a mid stream sample of urine (MSSU)

Microbiology
Opening times of the laboratory to receive samples:
Monday – Friday Saturday – Sunday
Procedure for the collection of
a mid stream sample of urine
(MSSU)
8 am - 7.30 pm
8.30 am - 4 pm
If you would like further information or advice about collecting your
sample, please telephone the Microbiology Laboratory on 01902
307999 ext 8257.
Please note: the laboratory is unable to give you the results of
your sample. You must contact the requesting GP or Healthcare
professional.
For the testing of urine for TB, different containers are required. Please
speak to your GP or healthcare professional.
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Dial 0845 46 47
Whenever you need health advice and information
Designed & Produced by the Department of Medical Illustration,
New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP Tel: 01902 695377.
Review Date 09.14
Date Produced 09.11
Mi 404611 07.09.11
Dr. Hans Clean says “The prevention of infection is
a major priority in all healthcare and everyone has a
part to play.
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water and
dry thoroughly. Use hand gel, if provided, in care
facilities.
• If you have symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting
stay at home and do not visit relatives that are
vulnerable in hospital or in residential care. You
will spread the illness.
• Keep the environment clean and safe. Let’s work
together to keep it that way. Prevention is better
than cure”.
What is being tested?
Urine is one of the body‘s waste products. It is produced in the kidneys
and collected in the bladder. Normally the urine does not contain
significant numbers of any bacteria.
However, if bacteria or yeast are introduced into the urinary tract, they
can multiply and cause a urinary tract infection, (UTI).
Collection of a clean urine sample for microscopy and
culture :
•
•
•
•
Collecting a urine sample
Your doctor or another healthcare professional should give you a
sterile container and explain to you how to collect the urine sample,
please see picture below. The red capped containers contain boric
acid crystals to preserve the urine if a delay in transport to the GP or
the laboratory is anticipated.
Please DO NOT use empty medicine bottles or jars.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wash your hands
Males should wash their penis
Females should wash their genitals, including between the labia
(lips around the entrance to the vagina)
Start to urinate but don’t collect the first part of urine that comes
out
Collect a sample of urine ‘mid-stream’ (as described above) in a
sterile screw-top sterile container
Collect approx 20 mls of urine to fill the container
Screw the lid of the container shut
Wash your hands thoroughly
Label the container with your name, date of birth and the date
Put the filled container into a sealed plastic bag and attach the
request form that has been completed by your GP or healthcare
professional
Please make sure the date that the sample was taken is completed
on the request form
If your doctor gives you any other instructions, you should also follow
these.
Storing a urine sample until you hand it in.
You can collect a urine sample at any time of day.
What is a mid-stream urine sample?
A mid-stream urine sample means that you don’t collect the first part
of urine that comes out or the last part. This reduces the risk of the
sample being contaminated with bacteria from:
• Your hands
• The skin around the urethra (tube that carries urine out of the
body)
1
Ideally, your urine sample needs to be handed in and sent for testing
within four hours. If you can’t hand your urine sample in within this
time you should keep it in the fridge at 4ºC. If the urine sample isn’t
kept in a fridge, the bacteria in it can multiply. This may affect the test
results.
Results
The results for a urine sample where other examinations have been
requested will be available after 24 -72 hours.
2