Samples That Are Naturally EliminatedYou can collect some samples—urine, feces, sputum, and semen—in private, without involving a health care worker; elderly and pediatric patients may, however, require assistance. Usually, collecting these samples is painless because they are collected as the body naturally eliminates them. There are also no after-effects. Obtaining these samples can, however, be awkward and unpleasant because they involve elimination of bodily wastes or bodily fluids and involve body parts and functions people prefer to keep private.
Some sample-collecting facilities are arranged better than others to minimize patient handling and embarrassment when providing these samples. You may, for example, find a "pass-through" window in the bathroom so you don’t have to walk the hall with a see-through container you have just filled. Or you may find printed instructions on how to obtain urine or stool samples in the bathroom so you don't have to listen to a nurse tell you explicitly how to obtain a "clean catch" of urine or a fecal occult blood sample. If you are sensitive to these issues and need to choose a health care provider or testing center, ask about their procedures, their layout, and steps taken by the staff to ensure patient privacy and comfort.
The body samples listed below can be collected without involving a health care provider.
Semen — Male patients ejaculate into a specimen container, which some men find embarrassing or difficult. Usually, men need to refrain from ejaculating for 3 to 4 days before collecting the specimen. The specimen must be kept warm and brought to the lab within the time period specified. It is important that you follow the instructions provided for the specific test.
Sputum — Patients are instructed to cough up sputum from as far down in the lungs as possible. (A nurse may assist the patient in some situations.) You should follow the instructions provided to ensure proper collection.
Stool — Patients usually collect this sample themselves during toileting, following instructions to prevent the sample from becoming contaminated from other material in the toilet bowl. Patients may also be told to avoid certain foods during the test period. Depending on the test, patients may be instructed to collect the sample in a container, scoop a small portion into a vial, or smear a small amount on special test paper. Wash your hands well after handling the sample.
Urine — Most urine specimens are collected by having the patient urinate into a container or receptacle. To keep the sample from becoming contaminated by materials outside the urinary tract, patients are given instructions on how to clean the area and void a bit of urine before collecting the specimen in the container. (If a urinary catheter is required, a health care worker is usually responsible for insertion. Because catheters increase the risk of infection, you will receive instructions to ensure meticulous hygiene and sterile technique.) Collecting the urine specimen is awkward, but not in itself uncomfortable (an infection, however, can create a burning sensation during urination). For certain tests, samples are collected at home, possibly over a period of hours, and will need to be refrigerated. Remember to wash hands well after collecting the specimen.
