Urine specimen collection from indwelling catheter

[Miossy]

I have a patient with newly inserted with Foley catheter , after 20 minutes there is order to collect urine culture and analysis. Can I collect the specimens from the urinary bag ( since it is newly inserted ) or I still need to get from the urinary port by clamping the catheter.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

I would still use the port.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

From the catheter

[Miossy]

I was confuse! Some told me it's acceptable to collect from the bag since it's new and close system.

[cleback]

Not sure how long urine can sit out and still be analyzed... would maybe check with lab about that... but then you'd have to ensure the sample gets processed in a timely manner because lab assumes it's a fresh sample. For this it's better to be safe than sorry and use the port, particularly since using the port is not uncomfortable to the patient.

[jmkRNBSN2012]

Never collect from the bag. It won't take long to get a sample from the port once you clamp the tube.

[rkitty198, BSN, RN]

Our policy says bag if less than 2 hours post insertion.

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

From the port.

[EllaBella1, BSN]

Check your facility protocol. Mine says from the bag is ok if its just been inserted- i.e. if the bag and it's drain are still sterile. Otherwise port it is.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I was confuse! Some told me it's acceptable to collect from the bag since it's new and close system.

If you're culturing it, you're culturing whatever got into the bag during the manufacturing process. Even a clean new bag has never pretended to be sterile.

[rkitty198, BSN, RN]

If you're culturing it, you're culturing whatever got into the bag during the manufacturing process. Even a clean new bag has never pretended to be sterile.

Well then how do you obtain a sample from an in and out kit? Its a catheter attached to a bag already? You mean the bag is not sterile?

[MPKH, BSN, RN]

Port, unless you have an order to collect it from the bag or your hospital policy deems it is okay to do so with a newly inserted catheter.

The drainage bag is not sterile--that's why when you change the bag, you don't need to wear sterile gloves.