Urine Collection

Ampath National Laboratory Services
Your Consulting Pathologists
🌐 www.ampath.co.za

This leaflet is provided because your doctor has requested a specific urine test. Ampath staff will guide you on the correct collection method.
Please follow the relevant instructions carefully.

⚠️ Dangers of Acid in the Bottle

Some specimen bottles contain acid preservative required for testing. If your bottle has acid:

1. Do not urinate directly into the bottle — acid may burn your skin.
2. First urinate into a clean container, then pour into the provided bottle.
3. Keep out of reach of children.
4. Store in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight.
5. Do not inhale fumes near the bottle opening — they may irritate or burn mucous membranes.
6. Keep the bottle closed when not in use.

🚹 Midstream Urine Collection – Males

1. Wash your hands.
2. Open the specimen bottle without touching the inside.
3. If uncircumcised, retract the foreskin.
4. Start urinating into the toilet bowl, then without stopping, pass urine into the container until it's half full.
5. Let the rest flow into the toilet. The container may become wet — this is expected.
6. If the container is dropped or contaminated, request a new one.
7. Screw the lid on tightly.
8. Wash your hands again.
9. Hand the sample to nursing staff.

🚺 Midstream Urine Collection – Females

1. Wash your hands.
2. Open the container carefully, without touching the inside.
3. Sit comfortably and turn one knee outward.
4. Use one hand to spread the genital folds.
5. Hold the container so it does not touch the genital area.
6. Let the first drops go into the toilet. Then, without stopping, urinate into the container until it is half full.
7. Finish urinating into the toilet. It’s normal for the outside of the container to become wet.
8. If the container is dropped or contaminated, request a new one.
9. Seal the lid tightly.
10. Wash your hands and return the specimen to the nurse.

🧒 Paediatric Collection

1. Wash hands.
2. Clean the baby’s genital area with a cotton swab dampened with water.
3. Dry the area with a clean swab.
4. Apply the urine collection bag:
   • For girls: Avoid covering the anal area.
   • For boys: Ensure the penis is fully inside the bag.
5. Replace the nappy.
6. Encourage fluid intake (unless otherwise advised).
7. Check frequently for urine in the bag.
8. Carefully transfer the urine into the collection container without contamination.

⏱️ 24-Hour Urine Collection

(For certain biochemical tests only)

If acid is present in the container, read the Dangers of Acid section above before starting.

1. Choose a day when you can carry the container with you.
2. Start by urinating into the toilet — this is your start time. Record it.
3. Collect all urine over the next 24 hours into the bottle.
4. At the same time the next day, urinate one final time into the bottle — this is your end time.
5. Avoid contamination with toilet paper or faeces.
6. If needed, request a second bottle and label it as bottle number two.
7. You don’t need to fill the bottle — but you must collect every drop during the 24 hours.
8. If you miss a collection, stop and start again another day.
9. Deliver the sample to the lab yourself — a blood sample may also be required.