Collection of urine specimen:
- Short term catheterization - specimens to be obtained by sampling through the catheter port using aseptic technique or, if a port is not present, puncturing the catheter tubing with a needle and syringe
- Long term indwelling catheters - preferred method of obtaining a urine specimen for culture is to replace the catheter and collect a specimen from the freshly placed catheter
- Symptomatic patient- urine culture should be done immediately prior to initiating antimicrobial therapy