Although P&P say otherwise in my facility, I have only seen people (and I do the same) collect urine specimens out of the foley BAG and not use a syringe in the port. Personally, I empty the bag, then collect the specimen from the urine that collects after. I/others do this for Culture and Sensitivity also. I learned in school it should be collected from the port. I float to 5 different hospitals and I have always seen it this way. I am just curious what the norm is in other facilities...
(I am aware that I should not do something just because it is the "norm" or because "that is the way it's always been done"...I am merely just curious and for some reason never really gave this much thought until now...)
We use these nifty BD Vacutainer urine collection systems, which are intended to be used on the port. Extremely easy to use and very little chance of contaminating the specimen. The collection tubes have preservatives in them, too.
Many urologists treating people with spinal cord injury consider collecting the first urine emitted immediately after a new sterile catheter is placed to be the best practice. This ensures that the only bacteria sent for C&S are those actually present [as opposed to bacteria colonized in the indwelling catheter, tubing, and/or bag].
Many urologists treating people with spinal cord injury consider collecting the first urine emitted immediately after a new sterile catheter is placed to be the best practice. This ensures that the only bacteria sent for C&S are those actually present [as opposed to bacteria colonized in the indwelling catheter, tubing, and/or bag].
That sounds like good practice if fc in place for extended periods, so fc changed out to new fc and then urine is collected. That is what is done in our ER, where anyone coming in w/fc has it removed, new one placed, and urine collected. However, if fc relatively new, then we collect from it. I think we have it per protocol if fc greater than 1 month, then get order to change out prior to getting urine (will have to check protocol).
a microscopic film of urine on the inside of the bag would probably lead to a dirty sample. there's no way to get EVERY drop out of the bag, every time. I always use the port when collecting, it's good practice. I will be asking my CNAs next shift if they use the port, or if they're just getting it out of the bag.
question: I learned in school to use a needle in the port but that was in a video from the 1980s and I can't recall if the instructor mentioned anything...nowadays just a syringe is used?
dudette10, MSN, RN
3,530 Posts
We use these nifty BD Vacutainer urine collection systems, which are intended to be used on the port. Extremely easy to use and very little chance of contaminating the specimen. The collection tubes have preservatives in them, too.