Urine specimen collection: how a multidisciplinary team improved patient outcomes using best practices.

The Institute of Medicine challenged the health care system to ensure safe care for all patients. This article reviews one hospital's attempt to minimize contamination of urine specimens by using a multidisciplinary team to implement evidence-based best practices. The clinical nurse specialist (CNS) collaborated with microbiology and laboratory personnel to review literature, collect and analyze data, provide staff education, and facilitate change in urine collection kits and urine processing that significantly improved the quality of urine specimens in a 350-bed hospital in the Midwest.