A simple and efficient urine sampling method for bacteriological examination in elderly women

Aim: to determine how collecting urine voided directly into a container compares with urine obtained by suprapubic aspiration. Method: urine samples were collected in a sterile recipient placed in the toilet or in the bed-pan during voiding, after the vulval region had been cleaned by water. These samples were compared with samples of the same urine obtained by suprapubic aspiration. The samples were examined for pyuria and bacteriuria. Applying the Kass criteria on the voided urine specimen and assessing the presence of leucocyturia, it was possible to differentiate urinary tract infection, asymptomatic bacteriuria and contamination. Results: all 13 cases of infection found on suprapubic aspiration were also identified by this sampling technique. The technique produced four false-positive results. Conclusion: this simple sampling method may not only obviate the need for suprapubic aspiration but also for bladder catheterization in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection in many elderly women.