Specimen Required

Stool collection:

Pass stool into a clean, dry container. 

--The use of a bed pan or a large plastic bag into a waste basket can be used to catch the specimen

--Collect stool from diaper lined with plastic. If infant or child has diarrhea, line the diaper with plastic wrap or use a pediatric urine bag placed over the rectum to collect a specimen that is not contaminated with urine.

CAUTION:  Never leave plastic wrap against a child's skin for more than 30 minutes at a time.

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

**Must be received in the laboratory within two hours of collection**

For Cary Blair media (Orange top transport)

**Specimen needs to be transferred to transport media within 2 hours of collection**

1)  Open the lid of the tube containing the liquid. 

2)  Using the built-in spoon, place small spoonfuls of stool (sample the bloody, slimy, or watery portions) into the tube until the liquid level rises to the red line.   

3)  If the stool is formed, try to sample small amounts from each end/side and the middle. 

4)  Mix the contents with the spoon, then twist the cap tightly closed and shake to mix well.

For the FecalSwab transport:

**Specimen needs to be transferred to transport media within 2 hours of collection**

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

1) Remove the swab from the package, making sure to only hand the swab by the shaft

2)  Collect the stool onto the swab by inserting the swab tip into the stool sample and rotate.  Be sure to sample the blood, slimy, or watery areas.  DO NOT try to collect a large amount of sample on the swab, but fecal material must be visible on the swab.

3)  Carefully insert the swab into the vial of fluid that came with the swab (orange top tube) and mix the specimen into the fluid by swirling against the inside of the tube.

4)  Break off the swab at the perforation into the tube by holding the top of the swab shaft and bending toward you.  Discard the top portion of the swab and replace the orange lid.

5)  Shake well until mixed.  Confirm that the liquid level is not above the noted line on the tube.

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