Collecting a Mid Stream Urine Sample for the Flexicult™ Test
Only a mid stream urine (MSU) sample can be used with the Flexicult test.
The urinary tract is normally sterile apart from the external urethra meatus (EUM) and contamination from the EUM should be avoided when collecting urine.
A mid stream urine collection kit can be used for collecting a MSU (essential for POETIC RCT stage 3). The kit is given to the patient and includes instructions. The Peezy MSU kit (http://peezy.axialit.co.uk) has been shown to reduce contamination rates in urine cultures (Jackson S.R. et al. BJU Int. 2005. Aug;96 (3):360-4).
If a MSU collection kit is not used then the area around the EUM should be cleaned by washing with clean water or using a wipe. The first portion of urine should be voided. Urine should be collected into a sterile container.
IMPORTANT! Urine samples put in containers with added boric acid cannot be used for Flexicult™ as the acid affects the antibiotic resistance assessments and invalidates the test results.
