A clean catch is a method of collecting a urine sample for various tests, including urinalysis, cytology, and urine culture.

The clean-catch urine method is used to prevent bacteria from the penis or vagina from getting into a urine sample. The clean catch can be used for a routine urinalysis, a urine culture, or other urine tests that require pure urine for accurate results.

Children or adults:

After cleaning the genital area, urinate a small amount into the toilet bowl to clear the urethra of any contaminants. Then, collect a sample of urine in a clean or sterile container. About 1 - 2 ounces of urine is needed for a test. Remove the container from the urine stream without stopping the flow. You may finish urinating into the toilet bowl. Return the sample to the health care provider, as directed.

Infants:

A collection device must be attached to the baby to collect the urine.

Thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on your infant. For boys, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For girls, place the bag over the labia. Diaper the infant as usual, covering and securing the bag. Check the baby frequently and remove the bag after the infant has urinated into it. Active infants may displace the bag, so it may take more than one attempt to obtain the specimen. Drain the urine into a container and give it to the health care provider, as directed.

Do not use antiseptics, as they may prevent bacteria from growing during the culture.

Before urinating, boys and men should clean the head of the penis. Girls and women need to wash the area between the vagina "lips" (labia). The health care provider will give you instructions how to do this. You may be given a special clean-catch kit that contains a cleansing solution and sterile wipes.

If the collection is being taken from an infant, you may need a couple of extra collection bags.

Rarely, infants may have a local skin reaction to the tape used with the collection bags.