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For urine culture, minimizing contamination with skin and perineal flora is essential to accurate interpretation. ASCP-aligned objectives stress patient education, sterile technique, and proper timing. Patients should be instructed to wash hands, cleanse the urethral area (front-to-back for females; tip and urethral meatus for males) using provided antiseptic towelettes, then begin voiding into the toilet to flush urethral contaminants. Without stopping the stream, the patient then moves the sterile container into the stream to collect the midportion, taking care not to touch the inside of the lid or cup. The initial stream is discarded because it contains the highest concentration of urethral flora, which can falsely elevate colony counts. After collection, the specimen should be capped promptly, labeled at bedside, and transported quickly; if delays exceed the laboratory’s specified window (often ≤2 hours at room temp), refrigeration or a preservative tube is indicated. Overfilling or touching internal surfaces risks contamination. Proper patient instructions, clear labeling, and timely transport preserve organism viability and ensure culture results reflect true urinary tract pathogens.