Specimen notes
Urine microscopy and culture should be justified by clinical particulars.
Early morning midstream urines are preferred. Allowing urine to remain in bladder overnight or at least 4 hours will decrease false negative results.
Record time of collection accurately and ensure immediate dispatch as unrefrigerated specimens more than 2 hours old are unsuitable. Urine specimens that have been at room temperature for longer than 2 hours risk being overgrown with contaminating bacteria, as well as potential pathogens. Do not freeze specimen.
Mid-stream urines
Thoroughly prepare patient to avoid contamination.
Click here to view patient collection instructions .
Catheter urines
Refer "Catheterisation Policy" in Ward Nursing Manual.
Paediatric patients
0 - 1 year: Suprapubic aspiration (bladder stab) is the preferred specimen for culture. Paediatric bag urines are unreliable and extreme care is needed with the interpretation of results.
Over 1 year: Midstream specimens are satisfactory for culture.
Rejection criteria
- Leaking specimens
- Unlabelled specimens
- 24 hour urine collection
- Urine from bedpans
-
Foley catheter tips
Urgent microscopy result available within 1 hour.
An interim or final culture report issued within 36 hours.
Mycology: an interim report is issued on any positive culture. Negative reports are issued after 7 days.
For further information, contact the Microbiology Department via Lablink or the Clinical Microbiologist:
Dr Sally Roberts
, Microbiologist:
ext 22705
Cellphone
021 674 140
Dr Sharmini Muttaiyah
, Microbiologist:
ext 22700
Cellphone
021 615 892
Dr Mary de Almeida
, Microbiologist:
ext 22700
Cellphone
021 170 9117
Reference ranges for urinalysis
Click here to view reference ranges for urine microscopy and dipstick.