Quest #3021A Culture, urine, special

[futurehope]

I called Quest this morning to find out more about the #3021A test.

The special instructions for it were that first morning urine was preferable (it shows the most bacteria) and that IT SHOULD BE CATHED into a sterile container, of course. The sterile container should then be taken to the lab probably within 24 hours.

Anyhow, how is any doctor EVER going to have a patient come in first thing in the morning to get a cathed specimen? Obviously, we would be lucky to get a "second morning" cathed specimen to be taken by a doctor.

Obviously, I do not cath myself, therefore, I'm trying to figure out the logistics of getting this test run? Any ideas? Maybe I'll ask my uro if you all do not know.

Thanks.

[mich2604]

There was another patient that posted on a different IC board that didnt get cathed. She just did a 'clean catch' but it was for the 3021, im not sure if the 3021 and the 3021A are the same.

I was able to get a dr to write a script for the 3021, but havent been able to get to the lab for a first morning sample. It really will be difficult to do.

Im thinking of collecting it at home and just bringing it to quest.

[jen74]

I did a urine culture looking for ureaplasma's and such not to long ago. I also had to use my first morning urine. I cathed it out( had my hubby do it actually). I dont think you need to cath it out honestly. If you take a shower first and clean well, and use the clean catch method, that should suffice.
When I called the lab to ask about it, they did not tell me I had to cath the urine, it was my urogynes nurse who told me too. My urogyne's nurse also believes that when giving a urine specimin to check for a routine culture it has to be catheterized, or it can be contaminated. That is a bunch of crock if you ask me! I have given plenty of clean catch samples and they were usually fine, no bacteria found at all. Sure there is a chance you could contaminate it, but very small. There is also more of a chance of contamination when cathing it out I was told by one doctor. She said that at least with a clean catch, you urine out half the stream first to rid the urethra of any bacteria that may be lingering. With the catheter, you actually push any bacteria that are there into the bladder. I told this to my urogyne's nurse and she was dumbstruck and did not know what to say.
Uro's have there protocol and alot of them have this big idea that a cathed specimin is the best, but come on, that is a bunch of phooey otherwise every doctors office would be doing it, and they do not. Also peeing in a cup is cheaper than having to have a nurse cath you, there they get to charge even more$$$.
ANyhow, good luck and hope all goes well.

Jen