A procedure for obtaining a urine specimen that exposes the culture sample to minimal contamination. For females, the labia are held apart and the periurethral area is cleaned with a mild soap or antibacterial solution, rinsed with copious amounts of plain water, and dried from front to back with a dry gauze pad. The urine is then passed and the specimen collected in a sterile container. It is important that the labia be held apart and that the urine flow directly into the container without touching the skin. If possible, the sample should be obtained after the urine flow is well established (i.e., a midstream specimen). For males, the urethral meatus is cleaned and the midstream specimen is collected in a sterile container. If the male is uncircumcised, the foreskin is retracted before the penis is cleaned.