CleanCatch

Cleancatch is a term commonly used to describe a method of collecting a urine sample for diagnostic testing, most often written as clean-catch or clean catch. It refers to a midstream urine collection designed to minimize contamination by bacteria from the skin or urethra, improving the accuracy of urinalysis and culture results. The approach is widely used in outpatient settings for suspected urinary tract infections and other urinary conditions.

Procedure: The patient washes hands and cleans the genital area with provided antiseptic wipes. The patient begins urination, then, without stopping the flow, collects a sample midstream in a sterile container. After collection, the patient finishes urinating. The container is sealed, labeled, and sent to the laboratory.

Indications: Clean-catch urine is used for routine urinalysis, urine culture, and screening for infectious or inflammatory urinary processes. It is preferred over first-void collections for culture because the latter are more prone to contamination. It is typically noninvasive and is used as a standard initial test in many clinical settings.

Limitations: Although it reduces contamination, a clean-catch sample is not sterile and may still yield inconclusive results if contamination occurs. Proper technique is important; difficulties following instructions or improper cleaning can compromise results. In some cases, catheterized urine or other sterile methods may be required.

See also: Urinalysis, Urine culture, Midstream urine collection, Catheterization. Etymology: The term derives from cleaning the urinary opening before collection.