Defining Properly Collected Urine: Thresholds to Improve the Accuracy of Urinalysis for Microscopic Hematuria Evaluation in Women.

PURPOSE: Microscopic hematuria is one of the most common office consults for urologists. While revised guidelines have risk-stratified patients to reduce unnecessary screening, they do not provide guidance concerning specimen quality. We sought to define "properly collected" specimens using catheterized urine samples as a reference to improve the utility of hematuria screening in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively acquired same-visit voided and catheterized urine samples from 46 women referred for microscopic hematuria from September 2016 to March 2020. Characteristics of pre-referral urinalysis were compared to the matched specimens. True microscopic hematuria was defined as ≥3 red blood cells per high power field on catheterization. RESULTS: Catheterized urinalyses had significantly fewer red blood and squamous epithelial cells in comparison to both referral urinalyses (p=0.006, p=0.001, respectively) and same-day void urinalyses (p=0.02, p=0.04, respectively). As no catheterized sample had >2 squamous epithelial cells, we applied this squamous epithelial cell threshold to referral urinalyses for analysis. Addition of this criterion for "properly collected specimen" increased the positive predictive value of referral urinalyses from 46.1% to 68.8% for true microscopic hematuria. Fewer than 2 squamous epithelial cells with elevated RBC was a significant predictor for true microscopic hematuria (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Voided specimens in the urology clinic had significantly lower red blood cells than referral samples, indicating improved collection technique may reduce false positive urinalyses. Matched collection suggested that repeat collection by catheterization in women who present with >2 squamous epithelial cells per high power field on referral urinalysis may prevent unnecessary future work-up.

Urine Trouble: Reducing Midstream Clean Catch Urine Contamination Among Children 3-17 Years Old.

BACKGROUND: Children, caregivers, and clinicians often prefer midstream clean catch technique to urethral catheterization for obtaining urine cultures. However, contamination is common, potentially resulting in unnecessary medical intervention and cost. With this resident-led initiative, we aimed to reduce pediatric midstream clean catch urine culture contamination over 6 months. METHODS: A bundled intervention was implemented in the emergency department, inpatient units, and outpatient clinics at our institution. Baseline contamination rates were collected April 2016 to September 2017; the intervention was introduced October 2017 to March 2018 and evaluated April 2018 to September 2018. Sustainability was measured October 2018 to September 2020. Balancing measures included rates of repeat urine cultures, positive cultures, and contaminated cultures by urethral catheterization. RESULTS: Rates of midstream clean catch urine culture contamination were 45.3% preintervention and 30.9% postintervention, a 14.7% (95% confidence interval: 8.0% to 21.5%) absolute decrease. Before and after intervention, girls and patients 16 to 17 years old had the highest rates of midstream clean catch contamination. Six months postintervention, the rate of repeat urine culture decreased from 4.9% to 0.9% with no change in positive culture results or contaminated cultures by urethral catheterization. Over the subsequent 2 years, the impact of the intervention decreased (rate of contamination over 30 months postintervention: 38.4%, a 7.3% [95% confidence interval: 2.9% to 11.6%] absolute decrease; rate of repeat urine culture: 3.2%). CONCLUSIONS: An intervention to improve midstream clean catch urine culture collection was associated with a clinically meaningful decrease in contamination. Impact of the resident-led intervention decreased over time.

Pilot Trial of Midstream Urine Collection Device Versus Transurethral Catheter in Women With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Practicality of Use in a Clinical Setting, Patient Preferences, and Comparison of Laboratory Findings.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate successful use of a midstream urine collection device in women with lower urinary tract symptoms and to assess specimen contamination. METHODS: Nonpregnant women 18 years or older without use of antibiotics in the last 4 weeks were recruited. After using the midstream urine collection device to obtain a specimen in a private restroom, a paired specimen was obtained by transurethral catheterization. Patients completed preference questionnaires. Culture organisms and microscopic urinalysis of paired specimens (device vs catheterized) were compared using the McNemar χ2 test. Bivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: Successful use was demonstrated in 54 (77%) of 70. Reasons for failure included inadequate specimen volume and improper device use. Older median age (50 vs 72 years, P = 0.0003) and history of diabetes (7% vs 27%, P = 0.037) were associated with failed use. Organisms were discordant in 21 (41%) of 51 paired urine culture specimens. The device detected 7 (88%) of 8 uropathogens. There were no detectable differences in microscopic urinalysis. CONCLUSIONS: The midstream urine collection device could increase comfort, and many patients prefer it to transurethral catheterization. With proper patient selection and instructions for use, this device could increase satisfaction. Further studies are needed to assess contamination rates with this device.

[Design of a multifunctional urine bag].

At present, there are many monitoring devices for vital signs parameters for clinical selection, but urine monitoring has not received enough attention. The traditional manual visual measurement, intermittent measurement of urine pH value, and other methods are still in use, so the authors designed a multifunctional urine bag. The urine bag can set up an alarm system per unit time according to patient's age and condition as well as set up urine pH value detection area in hard plastic measuring bottle. This device can not only accurately monitor urine volume per unit time, but also hopefully realize the alarm automation of abnormal urine volume per unit time, as well as real-time dynamic monitoring of urine pH value. It is helpful for medical staff to make accurate judgment on patients' condition changes, to guide the formulation and modification of clinical treatment plans, and to reduce the workload of clinical nursing staff to a certain extent.

Contamination in Adult Midstream Clean-Catch Urine Cultures in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: A midstream clean-catch urine sample is recommended to obtain a urine culture in symptomatic adults with suspected urinary tract infection. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to determine whether a novel funnel urine-collection system combined with a silver-colloidal cleaning wipe would decrease mixed flora contamination in midstream clean-catch urine cultures from ambulatory adults in the emergency department. METHODS: In a 2x2 factorial trial, adult participants were randomized to 4 groups: (A) sterile screw-top urine collection container/cup paired with a castile-soap wipe (control group); (B) sterile screw-top urine collection container/cup paired with a colloidal silver-impregnated wipe; (C) sterile urine-collection funnel paired with a castile-soap wipe; (D) sterile urine-collection funnel paired with a colloidal silver-impregnated wipe. RESULTS: The trial was stopped after interim analysis, as the contamination rate in the control group (30%) was markedly lower than the historical ED contamination rate (40%) at the study site. From 1,112 urinalysis results, 223 urine culture results were analyzed (190 female patients and 33 male patients). Urine contamination rates were as follows: Group A, n = 67 (29.9% contaminated); Group B, n = 69 (34.8% contaminated); Group C, n = 51 (23.5% contaminated); Group D, n = 36 (22.2% contaminated). The differences in contamination rates were not statistically different among any of the groups. DISCUSSION: The use of a funnel urine-collection system and silver-impregnated wipe did not reduce urine-culture contamination in adult midstream clean-catch urine cultures in the emergency department.

A Cross-sectional Pilot Cohort Study Comparing Standard Urine Collection to the Peezy Midstream Device for Research Studies Involving Women.

OBJECTIVES: The expanded quantitative urine culture protocol was used to compare the microbial abundance and diversity of voided urines obtained using a standard urine collection or using the Peezy midstream device versus paired periurethral specimens. METHODS: Sixty-two female participants were assigned to 1 of 3 cohorts. One cohort used a standard clean catch midstream urine protocol that included a castile soap wipe, the second cohort used a Peezy midstream collection device with castile soap wipe and the third used the Peezy device without a castile soap wipe. Each participant watched a video that detailed the collection method. Before using the castile soap wipe, a periurethral swab was obtained to measure periurethral microbial abundance. Demographics and pelvic floor symptoms were assessed by validated questionnaires. Microbes were detected using expanded quantitative urine culture. Diversity within each sample was analyzed using alpha diversity measures. RESULTS: Paired periurethral and urine samples for each woman were analyzed and compared for species abundance, richness, and diversity. Bacterial profiles of Peezy-collected urines differed significantly by multiple diversity indices and had significantly reduced colony-forming units compared to paired periurethral swabs. In contrast, within the standard clean catch cohort, voided urine had higher abundance and richness than paired periurethral swabs. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with standard clean catch method, the Peezy urine collection device with and without the castile soap wipe resulted in urine with lower bacterial abundance that was distinct from the periurethra. Voided urine collected by Peezy may reduce postbladder microbial contribution.

Human papillomavirus detection in urine: Effect of a first-void urine collection device and timing of collection.

Great interest has been directed towards the use of first-void (FV) urine as a liquid biopsy for high-risk HPV DNA testing. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effect of a first generation FV urine collection device on the detection of HPV DNA and to assess if the concentration of HPV DNA varies between FV urine collected in the morning and those collected later during the day. In this prospective cohort study, 33 self-reported HPV-positive women participated. An FV urine sample was collected by these women in the morning (first urine of the day) and another sample was collected later that day for four consecutive days using two different collection methods; i.e., the Colli-Pee® and a standard urine cup. Samples were collected at home and returned at ambient temperature to the laboratory by postal mail. HPV DNA testing was conducted with the Riatol qPCR HPV genotyping assay. Based on the combined generalized linear mixed model used, there was no significant impact of the timing of collection (morning versus later during the day) on copies of HPV DNA, whereas Colli-Pee® collected samples show higher HPV concentrations than cup collected samples. However, at high concentrations of hDNA, the benefit of the Colli-Pee® disappeared.

Quantification of Urinary Loss in Nulliparous Athletes During 1 Hour of Sports Training.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a pelvic floor dysfunction that can affect nulliparous female athletes because of the effect of sports activities on pelvic floor muscles. OBJECTIVES: To verify and quantify urine loss in nulliparous athletes during 1 hour of sports training using a modified pad test protocol. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Secondary, institutional practice. PARTICIPANTS: Nulliparous athletes (N = 104). METHODS: Athletes completed the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) and underwent a maximal resistance test of the abdominal muscles followed by the new modified pad test during 1 hour of training. OUTCOMES: Presence or absence of UI was the dependent variable; the initial hypothesis was that high-impact activities could lead to the development of UI. RESULTS: Almost 52% of athletes (n = 54) self-reported UI according to the ICIQ-UI-SF score. Of athletes who reported stress or mixed UI (n = 32), only 43.7% (n = 14) had leakage during the training pad test. Interestingly, 24% of athletes (n = 12) who did not report UI had a positive pad test result. In total, 27.9% of athletes (n = 29) presented a positive pad test during the training. Mean urinary loss was 1.57 ± 0.4 g. CONCLUSION: Athletes did not seem to have a good knowledge of UI symptoms, and the modified pad test could be an alternative to quantify urine loss; however, it is necessary to perform accuracy tests. None of the athletes reported discomfort or decreased performance when performing the pad test. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

VALHUDES: A protocol for validation of human papillomavirus assays and collection devices for HPV testing on self-samples and urine samples.

BACK GROUND: Systematic reviews have concluded that hrHPV DNA testing using target-amplification tests is as accurate on vaginal self-samples as on clinician-taken specimens for the detection of cervical precancer. However, insufficient evidence is available for specific HPV assay/self-sample device combinations. OBJECTIVES: The VALHUDES protocol is designed as a diagnostic test accuracy study that aims to compare the clinical sensitivity and specificity of particular hrHPV assay(s) on vaginal self-samples and first-void-urine, collected in agreement with standardized protocols, with hrHPV testing on matched clinician-taken samples. STUDY DESIGN: Five hundred enrolled women referred to a colposcopy clinic are invited to collect a first-void urine sample and one or more vaginal self-samples with particular devices before collection of a cervical sample by a clinician. Sample sets are subsequently analysed in a laboratory accredited for HPV testing. Disease verification for all enrolled patients is provided by colposcopy combined with histological assessment of biopsies. RESULTS: A first VALHUDES study has started in Belgium in December 2017 with enrolment from four colposcopy centres. The following assays are foreseen to be evaluated: RealTime High Risk HPV assay (Abbott), cobas-4800 and -6800 (Roche), Onclarity (BD), Xpert HPV (Cepheid) and Anyplex II HPV HR (Seegene). CONCLUSION: Given empirical evidence that the relative accuracy of HPV-testing on self- vs clinician-samples is robust across clinical settings, the VALHUDES protocol offers a framework for validation of HPV assay/self-sample device combinations that can be translated to a primary screening setting.

Preanalítica de orina de 24 horas: qué hacemos y qué deberíamos hacer / 24-Hour urine pre-analytical phase: what we do and what we should do

Introducción. Ante la necesidad de estandarizar los procedimientos de recogida, transporte, manejo y análisis de muestras de orina de 24 h, se han elaborado guías internacionales con una serie de recomendaciones que deberían ser adaptadas a cada laboratorio según sus circunstancias. Objetivo. Conocer el grado de cumplimiento de estas recomendaciones en laboratorios españoles. Material y métodos. Se realizó una encuesta a través de la página web de la Sociedad Española de Bioquímica Clínica y Patología Molecular sobre los diferentes procesos preanalíticos en el manejo de la orina de 24 h. Resultados. Se obtuvieron respuestas de 50 laboratorios, dos de los cuales no eran españoles. Aunque mayoritariamente los laboratorios proporcionan información acerca de la recogida de la muestra, existe variabilidad en la forma de hacerlo. Estas diferencias se observan en aspectos como el acceso de los pacientes a los contenedores de recogida de orina con y sin conservante, la forma de entregar la muestra, el registro de la información asociada y los criterios de rechazo de una muestra no recogida de forma correcta. Conclusiones. Existe variabilidad en el cumplimiento de las recomendaciones internacionales. Un posible sesgo de esta encuesta es que los participantes en ella sean los que más motivados estén por este tema, y por tanto más fieles al cumplimiento de estas normas, por lo que la variabilidad detectada podría ser aún mayor. Finalmente, se revisan las principales recomendaciones para la estandarización de todo el proceso, con el fin de obtener una muestra de calidad que asegure unos buenos resultados (AU)

Introduction. Given the need to standardise procedures for the collection, transportation, handling, and analysis of 24-hour urine specimens, international guidelines have been developed with a series of recommendations that should be adapted to each laboratory depending on its circumstances. Objective. To determine the level of compliance to these recommendations in Spanish laboratories. Material and methods. A survey was carried out, through the website of the Spanish Society of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Pathology, on the different pre-analytical procedures in the management of 24hour urine specimens. Results. A total of 50 laboratories responded, two of which were not Spanish. Although most laboratories provide information about the collection of the specimen, there is variability in how this is done. Differences were observed in areas such as, patient access to containers for collecting urine without preservative, how to deliver the specimen, recording the associated information, and rejection criteria of a specimen not collected correctly. Conclusions. There is variability in compliance with international recommendations. A possible bias of the survey is that the participants were those who are more motivated by this issue, and therefore more faithful compliance with these standards, thus the variability detected could be even higher. Finally, the main recommendations for the standardisation of the entire procedure is reviewed in order to obtain a specimen quality to ensure good results (AU)

Evaluating 3D printing to solve the sample-to-device interface for LRS and POC diagnostics: example of an interlock meter-mix device for metering and lysing clinical urine samples.

This paper evaluates the potential of 3D printing, a semi-automated additive prototyping technology, as a means to design and prototype a sample-to-device interface, amenable to diagnostics in limited-resource settings, where speed, accuracy and user-friendly design are critical components. As a test case, we built and validated an interlock meter-mix device for accurately metering and lysing human urine samples for use in downstream nucleic acid amplification. Two plungers and a multivalve generated and controlled fluid flow through the device and demonstrate the utility of 3D printing to create leak-free seals. Device operation consists of three simple steps that must be performed sequentially, eliminating manual pipetting and vortexing to provide rapid (5 to 10 s) and accurate metering and mixing. Bretherton's prediction was applied, using the bond number to guide a design that prevents potentially biohazardous samples from leaking from the device. We employed multi-material 3D printing technology, which allows composites with rigid and elastomeric properties to be printed as a single part. To validate the meter-mix device with a clinically relevant sample, we used urine spiked with inactivated Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A downstream nucleic acid amplification by quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmed there was no statistically significant difference between samples metered and mixed using the standard protocol and those prepared with the meter-mix device, showing the 3D-printed device could accurately meter, mix and dispense a human urine sample without loss of nucleic acids. Although there are some limitations to 3D printing capabilities (e.g. dimension limitations related to support material used in the printing process), the advantages of customizability, modularity and rapid prototyping illustrate the utility of 3D printing for developing sample-to-device interfaces for diagnostics.

Evaluation of the appropriate time period between sampling and analyzing for automated urinalysis.

INTRODUCTION: Preanalytical specifications for urinalysis must be strictly adhered to avoid false interpretations. Aim of the present study is to examine whether the preanalytical factor 'time point of analysis' significantly influences stability of urine samples for urine particle and dipstick analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 321 pathological spontaneous urine samples, urine dipstick (Urisys™2400, Combur-10-Test™strips, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) and particle analysis (UF-1000 i™, Sysmex, Norderstedt, Germany) were performed within 90 min, 120 min and 240 min after urine collection. RESULTS: For urine particle analysis, a significant increase in conductivity (120 vs. 90 min: P < 0.001, 240 vs. 90 min: P < 0.001) and a significant decrease in WBC (120 vs. 90 min P < 0.001, 240 vs. 90 min P < 0.001), RBC (120 vs. 90 min P < 0.001, 240 vs. 90 min P < 0.001), casts (120 vs. 90 min P < 0.001, 240 vs. 90 min P < 0.001) and epithelial cells (120 vs. 90 min P = 0.610, 240 vs. 90 min P = 0.041) were found. There were no significant changes for bacteria. Regarding urine dipstick analysis, misclassification rates between measurements were significant for pH (120 vs. 90 min P < 0.001, 240 vs. 90 min P < 0.001), leukocytes (120 vs. 90 min P < 0.001, 240 vs. 90 min P < 0.001), nitrite (120 vs. 90 min P < 0.001, 240 vs. 90 min P < 0.001), protein (120 vs. 90 min P < 0.001, 240 vs. 90 min P<0.001), ketone (120 vs. 90 min P < 0.001, 240 vs. 90 min P < 0.001), blood (120 vs. 90 min P < 0.001, 240 vs. 90 min P < 0.001), specific gravity (120 vs. 90 min P < 0.001, 240 vs. 90 min P < 0.001) and urobilinogen (120 vs. 90 min, P = 0.031). Misclassification rates were not significant for glucose and bilirubin. CONCLUSION: Most parameters critically depend on the time window between sampling and analysis. Our study stresses the importance of adherence to early time points in urinalysis (within 90 min).

Revisión sistemática de la validez de los urocultivos recogidos con bolsa estéril perineal / Systematic review of the validity of urine cultures collected by sterile perineal bags

INTRODUCCIÓN: La bolsa adhesiva perineal es el método más usado en nuestro medio para la recogida de orina para cultivo en el lactante, a pesar de que presenta un alto riesgo de contaminación y de resultados falsos positivos. Nos proponemos cuantificar ambos riesgos a través de una revisión sistemática. MÉTODOS: Búsqueda actualizada a mayo del 2014 en PUBMED, SCOPUS (incluye EMBASE), IBECS; CINHAL, LILACS Y CUIDEN, sin límites de idioma ni tiempo. Se extrajeron porcentajes de orinas contaminadas, falsos positivos, sensibilidad y especificidad (respecto cateterismo o punción vesical). RESULTADOS: Se seleccionaron 21 artículos de calidad media (7.659 muestras). El porcentaje agrupado de orinas contaminadas fue del 46,6% (15 estudios; 6.856 muestras; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC del 95%], 35,6 a 57,8%; I2: 97,3%). El porcentaje agrupado de falsos positivos fue del 61,1% (12 estudios; 575 muestras; IC del 95%, 37,9 a 82,2%; I2: 96,2%). En 5 estudios se pudieron estimar la sensibilidad (88%; IC del 95%, 81 a 93%; I2: 55,2%) y especificidad (82%; IC del 95%, 75 a 89%; I2: 41,3%), aunque en los recuentos no se incluyeron orinas contaminadas. CONCLUSIÓN: La bolsa adhesiva perineal no es un método suficientemente válido para cultivo de orina porque casi la mitad resultarán contaminados y de los positivos 2 de cada 3 serán falsos. Aun siendo estimaciones imprecisas, por su gran heterogeneidad, deben ser tenidas en cuenta en la elección del método de recogida de orina. Las estimaciones de sensibilidad y especificidad no son aplicables por no considerar el riesgo de contaminación

INTRODUCTION: The perineal adhesive bag is the most used method in our country for urine culture collection in infants, despite having a high risk of contamination and false-positive results. We aim to quantify both types of risks through a systematic review. METHODS: Search updated in May 2014 in PUBMED, SCOPUS (includes EMBASE), IBECS; CINAHL, LILACS AND CUIDEN, without language or time limits. Percentages of contaminated urines, false positives, sensitivity and specificity (with respect to catheterization or bladder puncture) were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies of medium quality (7,659 samples) were selected. The pooled percentage of contaminated urines was 46.6% (15 studies; 6856 samples; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 35.6 to 57.8%; I2: 97.3%). The pooled percentage of false positives was 61.1% (12 studies; 575 samples; 95% CI: 37.9 to 82.2%; I2: 96.2%). Sensitivity (88%; 95% CI: 81-93%; I2: 55.2%), and specificity (82%; 95% CI: 75-89%; I2: 41.3%) were estimated in five studies, but without including contaminated urines. CONCLUSION: The perineal adhesive bag is not a valid enough method for urine culture collection, because almost half are contaminated and, if they are positive, two out of three are false. Although these estimates are imprecise, because of their great heterogeneity, they should be considered when choosing the method of urine collection. The estimates of sensitivity and specificity are not applicable because they do not take into account the risk of contamination

[Systematic review of the validity of urine cultures collected by sterile perineal bags]. / Revisión sistemática de la validez de los urocultivos recogidos con bolsa estéril perineal.

INTRODUCTION: The perineal adhesive bag is the most used method in our country for urine culture collection in infants, despite having a high risk of contamination and false-positive results. We aim to quantify both types of risks through a systematic review. METHODS: Search updated in May 2014 in PUBMED, SCOPUS (includes EMBASE), IBECS; CINAHL, LILACS AND CUIDEN, without language or time limits. Percentages of contaminated urines, false positives, sensitivity and specificity (with respect to catheterization or bladder puncture) were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies of medium quality (7,659 samples) were selected. The pooled percentage of contaminated urines was 46.6% (15 studies; 6856 samples; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 35.6 to 57.8%; I(2): 97.3%). The pooled percentage of false positives was 61.1% (12 studies; 575 samples; 95% CI: 37.9 to 82.2%; I(2): 96.2%). Sensitivity (88%; 95% CI: 81-93%; I(2): 55.2%), and specificity (82%; 95% CI: 75-89%; I(2): 41.3%) were estimated in five studies, but without including contaminated urines. CONCLUSION: The perineal adhesive bag is not a valid enough method for urine culture collection, because almost half are contaminated and, if they are positive, two out of three are false. Although these estimates are imprecise, because of their great heterogeneity, they should be considered when choosing the method of urine collection. The estimates of sensitivity and specificity are not applicable because they do not take into account the risk of contamination.

Recogida de orina en el lactante febril para el diagnóstico de la infección urinaria en Urgencias / Collection of urine in febrile infants for diagnosis of urinary tract infection in the Emergencies’ room

Introducción: la infección del tracto urinario (ITU) es una enfermedad frecuente en niños. Resulta fundamental una adecuada recogida de orina para evitar falsos positivos, minimizando procedimientos invasivos. La recogida de orina al acecho es una técnica incruenta, con baja tasa de contaminación, por lo que se estableció como método de elección al actualizar nuestro protocolo clínico. Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo longitudinal descriptivo y analítico, realizado en el Servicio de Urgencias de un hospital terciario, en dos periodos, antes y después de la actualización del protocolo. Se analizaron: edad, sexo, tiempo en Urgencias, método de recogida, sedimento y cultivo de orina y diagnóstico, en pacientes febriles menores de tres años. Resultados: hubo 140 pacientes en 2012 y 180 en 2011, sin diferencias en distribución por sexo y edad. Las medias etarias fueron 12 y 14 meses respectivamente. El 35,7% se recogieron por acecho en 2012, frente al 7,8% de 2011 (p<0,001). En 2011 fueron necesarias más confirmaciones: 20,5% frente a 10,7% en 2012. No hubo diferencias significativas en el número de sospechas de ITU ni en el de muestras contaminadas en ambos años. Tampoco entre las muestras recogidas por acecho o sondaje en 2012. El tiempo medio de estancia en Urgencias en 2011 fue 221 minutos, siendo 190 en 2012 (p<0,05). Conclusiones: la recogida de orina mediante el acecho constituye un método sencillo y no invasivo, que generalmente no precisa confirmación, por lo que reduce el tiempo de espera en el Servicio de Urgencias. No se ha objetivado un aumento de falsos diagnósticos de ITU en pacientes con muestra recogida por acecho (AU)

Introduction: urinary tract infection (UTI) in children is a common process. It is essential to find an adequate method to collect urine, to avoid false positives, minimizing invasive procedures. Clean catch urine (CCU) is a noninvasive technique, with low contamination rate, so it has been established as the recommended method for urine collection to update our clinical protocol. Material and methods: a prospective longitudinal descriptive and analytical study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in the Emergencies’ room (ER) in two periods, before and after the update protocol. Age, sex, time in the ER, collection method, sediment and urine culture and diagnosis in febrile patients <3 years were analyzed. Results: there were 140 patients in 2012 and 180 in 2011, with no differences in age and sex distribution. The mean ages were 12 and 14 months respectively. 35.7% of the samples were collected by CCU in 2012, compared to 7.8% in 2011 (p<0.001). In 2011 more confirmations of urine analysis were necessary: 20.5% vs. 10.7% in 2012. There were no significant differences between the number of suspected UTI or the contaminated samples in both years. Neither did between samples collected by catheterization or CCU in 2012. The average length of stay in the ER in 2011 was 221 minutes, while 190 in 2012 (p<0.05). Conclusions: urine collection by CCU is a simple and noninvasive method, which usually does not require confirmation, thereby reducing the wait time in the ER. There has not been an objectified increased of false diagnosis of UTI in patients with sample collected by CCU (AU)

A modified device to facilitate flow measurements during voiding cystometry studies in infants.

INTRODUCTION: Urodynamic studies (UDS) in infants are traditionally hampered by technique and flow collection; both are difficult and have not yet been standardized. METHODS: A very simple device has been developed to collect urine during the voiding phase in UDS. It is based on a urine-collection adhesive bag, which is connected to a tube that conducts the urine to a flowmeter. RESULTS: Eleven infants (4-23 months) were selected and a complete UDS was performed on all of them. A diagnosis was obtained for all of the infants. DISCUSSION: This device is easily available in every pediatric clinic; it is also disposable and inexpensive. It enables UDS in infants to be complete and achievable.

A midstream urine collector is not a good alternative to a sterile collection method during the diagnosis of urinary tract infection.

AIM: Guidelines recommend collecting urine with suprapubic aspiration or urethral catheterisation in infants with a suspected urinary tract infection (UTI), but the invasiveness of these methods continues to drive research on new urine collection devices. We studied children with a suspected UTI, who had not been toilet trained, to compare a new midstream urine collector and catheterisation. METHOD: During this prospective controlled diagnosis study of 94 children, urine collection was performed using the midstream collector and then controlled via catheterisation when the urine dipstick was positive. RESULTS: When end stream samples collected by the midstream collector were compared to catheter samples, the results were inconsistent in 23.4% of cases, similar to the inconsistent results between first stream samples discarded by the device and the catheter samples (21.3%). Interestingly, the overall rate of sample contamination in the bag of the midstream collector was lower than that reported in previously published studies and there were no false positive bag results. CONCLUSION: The midstream collector did not appear to provide additional benefits to classic collection bags. A sterile collection method, such as suprapubic aspiration, catheterisation or clean catch, is still mandatory for diagnosing urinary tract infections in children who are not toilet trained.

A new device to automate the monitoring of critical patients' urine output.

Urine output (UO) is usually measured manually each hour in acutely ill patients. This task consumes a substantial amount of time. Furthermore, in the literature there is evidence that more frequent (minute-by-minute) UO measurement could impact clinical decision making and improve patient outcomes. However, it is not feasible to manually take minute-by-minute UO measurements. A device capable of automatically monitoring UO could save precious time of the healthcare staff and improve patient outcomes through a more precise and continuous monitoring of this parameter. This paper presents a device capable of automatically monitoring UO. It provides minute by minute measures and it can generate alarms that warn of deviations from therapeutic goals. It uses a capacitive sensor for the measurement of the UO collected within a rigid container. When the container is full, it automatically empties without requiring any internal or external power supply or any intervention by the nursing staff. In vitro tests have been conducted to verify the proper operation and accuracy in the measures of the device. These tests confirm the viability of the device to automate the monitoring of UO.

Albumin adsorption onto surfaces of urine collection and analysis containers.

BACKGROUND: Adsorption of albumin onto urine collection and analysis containers may cause falsely low concentrations. METHODS: We added (125)I-labeled human serum albumin to urine and to phosphate buffered solutions, incubated them with 22 plastic container materials and measured adsorption by liquid scintillation counting. RESULTS: Adsorption of urine albumin (UA) at 5-6 mg/l was <0.9%; and at 90 mg/l was <0.4%. Adsorption was generally less at pH8 than pH5 but only 3 cases had p<0.05. Adsorption from 11 unaltered urine samples with albumin 5-333 mg/l was <0.8%. Albumin adsorption for the material with greatest binding was extrapolated to the surface areas of 100 ml and 2l collection containers, and to instrument sample cups and showed <1% change in concentration at 5 mg/l and <0.5% change at 20 mg/l or higher concentrations. Adsorption of albumin from phosphate buffered solutions (2-28%) was larger than that from urine. CONCLUSIONS: Albumin adsorption differed among urine samples and plastic materials, but the total influence of adsorption was <1% for all materials and urine samples tested. Adsorption of albumin from phosphate buffered solutions was larger than that from urine and could be a limitation for preparations used as calibrators.