A novel midstream urine-collection device reduces contamination rates in urine cultures amongst women.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a novel urine-collection device (UCD) that automatically collects a midstream urine (MSU) sample, and compare contamination rates to those of the conventional MSU sampling method, as the contamination of urine samples for microbiological analysis in women leads to diagnostic ambiguity and unnecessary costs, and may result in part from an incorrect collection procedure.


METHODS
In all, 2823 women from four centres, most from antenatal clinics, were randomized to two urine-collection methods: conventional MSU collection and collection with a novel MSU UCD (the Whiz, JBOL Ltd, Oxford, UK). Semi-quantitative growth and user acceptability were compared between the collection methods.


RESULTS
MSU samples collected with the UCD had significantly fewer mixed growth samples (9% vs 14%, P = 0.001; 36% relative reduction), significantly fewer heavy mixed growth samples (1.2% vs 3.0%, P = 0.004; 60% relative reduction) and required significantly fewer re-tests (11% vs 16%, P = 0.002; 31% relative reduction). There were more samples with clinically insignificant growth than the conventional MSU group (86% vs 82%, P = 0.005). Those using the UCD preferred it to the conventional method (67.5%) and experienced significantly less spillage during sample collection (27% vs 46%, P = 0.001; relative reduction 41%).


CONCLUSIONS
The UCD reduced contamination rates in urine samples and improved the predictive value of the urine culture in a manner acceptable to patients and staff.
Jackson
Simon R
SR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Dryden
Mathew
M
Gillett
Paul
P
Kearney
Paddy
P
Weatherall
Rosemary
R
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016482:Urinalysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014556:Urine