Specimen Required

Patient Preparation:

-Do not collect samples during or until three days after your menstrual period, while having bleeding hemorrhoids, or blood in your urine.

For 7 days prior to collection:  Avoid asprin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

For 3 days prior to collection: 

-Avoid Vitamin C in excess of 250mg/day.  This includes all supplemental sources and dietary (citrus fruits and juices)  Note:  Some iron supplements may contain quantities of Vitamin C.

-All red meat.  This includes processed meats and liver.

Specimen collection:

-Remove all toilet bowl cleaners from the tank bowl by flushing twice before proceeding.

-It is recommeded to collect 3 consecutive bowel movements, closely spaced in time.

-Collect entire stool collection from a single defecation in a clean, wide-mouth container.

Card Preparation:

-Open the card by lifting the flap on the front of the card

-Make 2 thin smears onto the guiac filter paper areas (Box A and B).  Be sure to use different areas of the stool to ensure equal representation of specimen onto the card

-Close the card and insert tab under the flap to keep closed.

-Label with all pertinent information on the front of the card

-Cards containing samples must be sent to the laboratory within 14 days after the first collection.

Submit to the laboratory:

-Label cup with patient name (first and last) or other unique identifier, patient hospital
identification number,  date and time of draw, collector initials, and test(s) being
ordered.
-Promptly forward specimen to laboratory at ambient temperature.