A. Collection of Stool for Stool Culture
| 1. |
Antacids, barium bismuth, anti-diarrhea medication or oily laxatives should not be used prior to collection of the specimen. |
| 2. |
Collect the number of samples ordered by the physician. Do not collect more than one sample per day. |
| 3. |
Collect the sample in a dry, wide-mouth plastic container provided by the laboratory. Take care not to contaminate the sample with urine. A large plastic bag or "saran wrap" may be placed over the toilet seat opening and the specimen passed into the bag. |
| 4. |
Select the appropriate area of stool that may be bloody, slimy, or watery. Take a sample with the collection spoon or a wooden stick and put a thumb size sample of stool into the dry sterile container. |
| 5. |
Specimens must be transported to the lab immediately. If a delay of more than two hours is expected, refrigerate the sample. Samples should be delivered to the laboratory on the same day of collection. |
B. Collection of Stool for Ova & Parasite
| 1. |
Antacids, barium, bismuth, anti-diarrhea medication or oily laxatives should not be used prior to collection of the specimen. |
| 2. |
For optimal recovery of all parasites, samples should be submitted to the laboratory, unpreserved and in accordance with the following time frame:
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Liquid Stool: Must be received with 30 minutes of collection
Soft Stool: Must be received with 30 minutes of collection
Semi-softStool:Must be received with 1 hour of collection
Formed Stool: Must be received on the same day of collection
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| 3. |
If delivery will be delayed, collect the sample in the Para-Pak O&P kit.
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| 4. |
Select an appropriate area of stool that may be bloody, slimy, or watery. Take a sample of stool with the collection spoon provided in the caps of the containers. |
| 5. |
Add stool to the containers until the liquid level is up to the "fill to Here" line. If the stool is formed, material should be removed from the sides, ends and middle of the bolus. |
| 6. |
Agitate each specimen with the spoon along the sides of the container, tighten the cap and shake firmly to mix specimen. |
| 7. |
Label each specimen container with name, date, and time of collection. |
| 8. |
Specimen should be transported to the laboratory immediately, but samples can be stored for 72 hours at room temperature. |
C. Patient Precautions
| 1. |
Avoid contact of fixative solution with the skin and eyes. Should contact occur, flush with running water. If irritation develops, see a physician. |
| 2. |
Fixative solutions are poisonous. If ingested, dilute by drinking milk or water, then call local poison center or physician immediately. |
| 3. |
Due to the infectious nature of unpreserved stools, care and hand washing should be done when the specimen is collected. |
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 Send Feedback to: John Misiano at BWHClientServices@partners.org
This page was last modified on 2/10/2008
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