|
Collection of Stool Specimen
|
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. READ COMPLETELY BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH COLLECTION.
2. Do not
use toilet paper to collect stool specimen (toilet paper may contain substances
which are inhibitory for some fecal specimens).
3. Do not contaminate
specimen with urine.
4. Do not retrieve fecal specimen from toilet
bowl.
5. Barium, antacids, kaolin, bismuth compounds and mineral oil
interfere with ova & parasite specimens. Do not take any of these
within 48 hours of collecting specimen.
6. Each specimen for testing of
ova and parasites must be collected 24 hours apart.
7. The collection
tubes contain a liquid that is poisonous. Please keep them out of the
reach of children. ANTIDOTE IF SWALLOWED: dilute by drinking 2-4 glasses
of water. Immediately contact an emergency facility, poison control
center, or a physician. Save the vial for label information needed for
determining appropriate treatment.
COLLECTING SPECIMEN
1. The stool should be passed into a clean, DRY container. A
bedpan, clean margarine tub, clean milk carton with the top cut off or a large
plastic bag put into a waste basket may be used. Please do not contaminate
with urine.
2. BABIES IN DIAPERS: A formed stool may be taken from the
diaper and placed in the containers as described below. If the child has
diarrhea, line the diaper with plastic wrap or use plastic pants (that are clean
and dry). Watch the child carefully so you will know when his/her bowels
have moved. Immediately remove the diaper and plastic wrap or plastic
pants and fill each container as described below. Never leave plastic wrap
against a child’s skin for more than 30 minutes at a time. NEVER WRING OUT
A DIAPER TO COLLECT A SPECIMEN. A specimen brought to the lab in a diaper
will not be accepted.
FILLING SPECIMEN CONTAINERS
1. Open the tube and using the
collection spoon built into the lid of the tube place small scoopfuls of stool
from areas which appear bloody, slimy or watery into the tube until the contents
rise to the red line. If the stool is formed (hard), please try to sample
small amounts from each end and the middle.
2. Mix the contents of the
tube with the spoon, twist the cap tightly closed and shake the tube vigorously
until the contents are well mixed.
3. Wash hands
thoroughly.
4. Fill in the information on the vial label: 1) Patient
Name, 2) date and time specimen was collected, 3) specimen number if more than
one specimen was collected (for example, No.2, No. 2, No. 3), and 4) check the
appropriate box for specimen description.
5. Make sure the vial(s) are
closed tightly. Keep the specimens at room temperature and take them to the lab
as soon as possible.
Clostridium difficile
For the white plastic container with white lid, please note the
following: If stool is liquid or watery, an amount approximately equal to
½ ounce (15 mL or 3 Tbsp.) should be placed in the container. If stool is
formed, an amount approximately equal to the size of a small walnut should be
placed in the container. Specimens in the white containers should be
refrigerated until brought to the lab, again as soon as possible.
