CATCH IT: The effect of bladder ultrasound on the time to collect a clean catch urine sample in the non-toilet trained child: a randomized control trial

The use of Point-Of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) bladder scan, and whether it reduces the time taken to collect a clean catch urine from a non-toilet trained child. As per the control arm, parents/carers were provided with the same written information on how to collect a CCU sample. The child was prepared for collection in the same fashion as the control arm (nappy/underwear removed, and genitals gently cleaned with cotton wool and water). A urine sample pot was provided at the same time as the bladder scan, and parents/carers advised to be ready for collection of urine. Starting time was recorded at the beginning of the ultrasound. The Sonosite X-Porte ultrasound machine was used (with room temperature gel pre-applied) to calculate bladder volume via the in-built ‘Bladder Volume’ function. If the bladder volume was over 7ml/kg, then the parents/carers were informed that micturition is imminent and advised to be on high alert for collection. If no urine was passed in 30 minutes, then the bladder scan was repeated. If there was minimal increase in volume, then parents/carers were encouraged to increase oral fluid administration. Conversely, if the repeat scan showed a volume of over 7ml/kg, the parents/carers were advised to be vigilant due to impending micturition. All ultrasounds were either performed or directly supervised by one of the authors (RL) who is accredited for the Extended Focused Abdominal Scan in Trauma (EFAST) with the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM).