No abstract

The purpose of this document was to define the correct technique for obtaining a urine sample from a urostomy, ileal, or colon conduit. While healthcare providers do not commonly encounter patients with a urostomy, knowledge of the correct procedure to obtain a urine specimen is essential. Urine samples obtained incorrectly from a urostomy can lead to inaccurate cultures, resulting in an improper diagnosis and treatment, which can endanger the life of a patient. This column presents patient preparation, the procedure to obtain a specimen with and without a catheter, and aftercare of the patient and specimen. This best practice guideline has been developed by a panel of certified ostomy nurses serving on the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN) Society's Clinical Practice Ostomy Committee. The guideline has undergone content validation through a consensus-building process by the WOCN Society, which was managed by the Center for Clinical Investigation.