how to get an MSU sample if someone has an IDC

USIJurgy · Feb 3, 2011

Hmmmm. I don't know these abbreviations but if I had to take a guess.....youre wanting to get a medically sterile urine sample from an indwelling catheter? I don't think it is possible to get a totally sterile specimen without taking out the catheter and replacing it with a new one and getting a sample then. I suppose it would be possible to clamp the catheter distal to the sampling port, clean it well, then draw your specimen from there. I don't think it would be even close to sterile if you get it from the drainage bag.

ZippyGBR, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2011

you cannot get a 'midstream sample of urine' from a catheterised patient.

you can however put a new sterile collection bag on , clamp the drain tube for a short while ( assuming no contra indications) and draw off a sample from the sample port if there is one at the top of the drainage tube, else take a sample from your new bag via the drain ...

stram87 · Feb 3, 2011

I don't think there is a way. Unless you are considering the IDC to be sterile. We do at my hospital if it is drawn from the collection port.

RupiRN · Aug 10, 2016

Thankyou so much for all your replies (sorry for the late acknowledgement). Its a beauty how much I have learned in the past 5-6yrs. Looking back this was a very valid question then:D