How can we get a urine sample from our Mom to be tested for a possible UTI? She is completely incontinent & only goes in her Depends.

Try uzing a festival to catch urine take her every 2 hrs you should get specimen in a day.

ER or Urologist visit, The RN will straight cath pt. and obtain urine sample /culture. Takes 3-4 days for results, usually dr will put pt. on an antibiotic and discharge home, will check when culture comes back to see if it is the correct antibiotic.

4 x 4 washable bedpad under a full sized cotton sheet, centered under the middle.
4 years has never spilled onto the mattress and Christy pees a lot.
Disposable bedpads do not work.
We purchase online form Allegro. We have used the same ones for 4 years.
Lately I have had to change the bedding and shower her twice in an evening.
I gladly do it for no UTI.
Also, she has little cognition, but does realize and dislikes when she is soiled.

If she receives any type of home health care services, perhaps a nurse can get a direct sample with a cath. Other than that, you can try sitting her on a bed pan for a minute... challenging.

Christy had a continuous low grade UTI for several years. Low dose antibiotic regimen never cured.
In 2011, she had a full UTI. She became wild, psychotic, hellish, and low functioning.
Antibiotics suspended the UTI, but she remained a 5 year old.

In 2012, she again had a full UTI and became a hellish 2 year old.

She remains an autistic 2 year old and continued carrying a low grade UTI even with continuous antibiotic.

We started using urinalysis test strips to monitor.

In 2014 her UTI flared and we changed doctors,
This doctor prescribed Cirpoflaxin
Ciproflaxin cured the UTI, overnight,


No UTI until 2015 when she went to ER for seizures.
Catheter catch caused a UTI.

Returned to ER next day and lab tests were identical to the home test strip.

We advised staff of Ciproflaxin success.
They administered Ciproflaxin via IV and cured the UTI, within 4 hours.

We stopped using depends and no hint of UTI since. 4 years.

The test strips also test for hydration, which is critical for UTI prevention.
We use a hat in the toilet to capture the urine.
A nurse advised that the test strips will work even if the urine is in the toilet water, if by chance you can't get a clean catch.
We tested against the whole family and found that is true.

Reagent test strips are expensive locally but affordable from Amazon.

We use these:
Urinalysis Reagent Strips - 11 Parameter (Pack of 100 Strips) by QTest - $11.99


Say no to depends. Say no to polyester, even blends. Polyester holds heat moisture and bacteria. It is also a sleep affecting irritation.

Christy is commando at all times. Washable cotton bedpads and cotton sheet for bed and sitting. Long cotton skirts and long cotton nightshirts for modesty.

It is all so worth no UTIs

Sounds like LO is at home. I had to use the adhesive bag on my babies, and reading here that they make adult one is your solution.
I suggest you trim hairs as short as possible to improve adhesion and reduce discomfort when you carefully peal it off to contain sample. I don't suggest shaving due to itchy regrowth, risk of ingrown hairs & infection from scratches.

They have disposeable urinary collection bags for those without catheters. Though used a lot on babies, there are some for adults online, basically a cup that fits over the genital area attached to the body with straps, and a collection bag attached. The Dr. should know about these and be giving thought to your situation. If these do not work, an 'in and out' or cath can then be done for the sample.

I had UTI's (or so they thought) over and over due to my job and lack of bathroom time so holding it too long. Finally they straight cath and found out it was something else. Fast and easy. Not saying she doesn't have an UTI but it's a fast and easy way to get it.

The Dr. Should request a urine sample. I ordered my own cups and nurse cap (goes in the toilet) to make it so much easier. I have a portable commode next to the bed for mom to use.

My Mom had two false negative UTI cultures until they used a catheter to get a “clean catch”. She has been in a behavioral hospital and they were so concerned about her (she was in a state of catatonia for a few days) that they sent her over to the ER where they were able to discover a small UTI. She is much improved from the catatonic state after being given antibiotics.

If you need to do this in your home, then get a hat. It fits on the toilet and hopefully you can get Mom at a good time, she sits and goes. There is a spout so u can pour it right in the container provided. Otherwise, it is a catheter.

If they need a clean sample they usually do a cath to get it. If they can use a less clean sample they can attach a catch bag under her diaper and remove it after she urinates. I've seen both. The doctor will usually choose the simplest and least traumatic means to get what is needed.

If she’s in a NH they can do a “straight cath” to extract it. Mom had it done a few times at her NH if she was too weak for the aids to help her to sit on the toilet safely. If she’s home and you can get her to the doctor they should be able to do that in their office as well.

They can catheterize her to get a sample.