Urine Container

Quick Answer: A urine container is a wide-mouthed plastic specimen pot with a leak-resistant lid, used to collect a urine sample and carry it to the laboratory for urinalysis, culture or other tests. The wide opening makes it easier for the patient to catch a midstream sample directly.

Collecting a Midstream Sample

For most routine tests the laboratory wants a clean-catch midstream sample. The patient washes their hands and the genital area, passes the first part of the stream into the toilet, collects the middle part in the pot without touching the inside, and passes the rest into the toilet. The lid is then closed firmly and the pot labelled.

First-morning urine is often requested for pregnancy tests and some microscopy because it is more concentrated. For culture, the sample should reach the laboratory quickly or be refrigerated, because bacteria multiply in urine at room temperature and can give a falsely high count. Twenty-four hour collections use a much larger bottle and are a different product.

Specimen pots of this kind are made in sterile and non-sterile versions, and a sterile one should be used when culture is requested. Some have a graduated scale moulded on the side and some a separate label area; these features and the capacity of this listing can be confirmed with the order.

Applications

• Routine urinalysis with dipsticks and microscopy
• Urine culture and sensitivity testing
• Urine pregnancy tests in clinics
• Teaching specimen collection and dipstick reading to nursing and laboratory students

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Label the pot body with the patient’s name, date and time just before or right after collection.
• Never touch the inside of the pot or its lid.
• Keep the lid tight and the pot upright in a sealed bag for transport.
• Treat used pots as biomedical waste once testing is complete.

Why Choose LabEquip

Hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs and paramedical colleges use urine pots every day. LabEquip supplies them in the Biology Lab Products range next to the stool container for other specimen collection; bulk quantities can be requested through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a midstream urine sample?

It is urine collected from the middle of the stream after the first part has been passed into the toilet. Discarding the first portion flushes away bacteria from the urethra, so the sample better reflects bladder urine.

Why should urine for culture be tested quickly?

Bacteria keep multiplying in urine left at room temperature, which can make a harmless contaminant look like an infection. If testing will be delayed, refrigerate the sample as the laboratory advises.

Do I need a sterile container?

A sterile container is needed when urine culture is requested. For routine dipstick testing and many chemistry tests, a clean dry pot is acceptable.

Can a urine pot be reused?

No. Specimen pots are single-use so they cannot contaminate the next sample, and used pots are disposed of as biomedical waste.

How does a urine pot differ from a 24-hour urine bottle?

A specimen pot holds a single sample. A 24-hour bottle is much larger and collects all urine passed over a full day for tests such as total protein or creatinine clearance.

Is first-morning urine better for testing?

First-morning urine is more concentrated, which helps for pregnancy tests and some microscopy. For other tests a random sample is acceptable; follow the instructions given by the doctor or laboratory.

Last Updated: September 2026