Is Midstream Urine Collection Necessary?
There’s considerable evidence that the standard procedure for urine specimens, with cleansing and mid-stream collection, may not be necessary. Is it time to change?
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In November 2020, I reviewed Paul Offit’s book about when doctors refuse to believe evidence. I have just become aware of another example. The evidence for diagnosing urinary tract infection (UTI) by the gold standard – clean catch mid-stream urine collection – is lacking, but it is still universally recommended. I get my medical care at Madigan Army Medical Center; the lab there instructs women to wash hands, cleanse the area with two towelettes, then to hold the labia apart and collect a midstream urine sample. Some labs even recommend removing underwear and sitting facing the back of the toilet. Is all that rigmarole really necessary?