Altru Pathology and Laboratory Services

1200 S. Columbia Road

Grand Forks, ND

STOOL (FECES) SPECIMEN COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

A correctly collected stool sample is necessary in order to perform the lab tests ordered by your provider. The tests require a stool sample that is free of urine, water, paper, or any other materials. Always pass your urine into the toilet before collecting the stool sample. Please follow the steps listed below when collecting your stool specimen.

  1. Place the “white hat” provided for you onto the toilet, then put the toilet seat down on top of the “white hat.”
  2. Pass the stool directly into the “white hat.”
  3. Follow the marked (X) specific instructions below to determine which containers your specimen should be placed in. Please be aware that the liquids in the containers are poisonous.

_____STOOL CULTURE ORDERED

Note: If Ova and Parasite testing also ordered, an additional red or orange cap specimen does not need to be collected.

YELLOW CAP C&S (red liquid) CONTAINER

  1. Open the container and place small scoopfuls of the stool into the container until the liquid level

reaches the red fill line. Use stool from bloody, slimy, or watery areas. If the stool is liquid just pour it into the bottle.

  1. Tighten the cap and mix completely by shaking the container.
  2. Write the patient name, date of birth, and date and time of collection on the container and place in a zip lock bag.
  3. Specimens must be received within 3 days of collection and refrigerated until they are returned to the laboratory. If stool PMNS are also ordered, the sample must be returned within 12 hours of collection.
  4. Due to refrigeration requirements, specimens may not be mailed to the laboratory.

_____ OVA AND PARASITE TESTING, GIARDIA ANTIGEN OR CRYPTOSPORIDIUM ASSAY ORDERED

BLACK CAP TOTAL-FIX (clear liquid) and YELLOW CAP C&S(red liquid)

  1. Both containers must always be collected together with the same stool specimen.
  2. You may have been asked to collect more than one set of containers. If so, you must only collect one set per day.
  3. Open each container and place small scoopfuls of the stool into each container until the liquid level reaches the red fill line. Use stool from bloody, slimy, or watery areas. If the stool is liquid, just pour it into the container.
  4. Tighten the caps and mix completely by shaking the container.
  5. Write the patient name, date of birth, and date and time of collection on the container and place in a zip lock bag.
  6. Return containers to the laboratory within 4 days of collection; keep refrigerated until they are returned. Specimens may not be mailed to the laboratory.

_____CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TESTING ORDERED

WHITE CAP CLEAN VIAL or CLEAN STERILE CONTAINER

_____ROTAVIRUS TESTING ORDERED

CLEAN STERILE CONTAINER

  1. Open the container and place at least ½ tsp. of stool into the container and secure the lid. It’s always better to send more stool than not enough.
  2. Write the patient name, date of birth, and date and time of collection on the container and place in a zip lock bag.
  3. Return container to the laboratory as soon as possible.
  4. For Clostridium difficile testing, specimens must be received within 5 days of collection and refrigerated until they are returned to the laboratory.
  5. For Rotavirus testing, specimens must be received within 5 days of collection and refrigerated until they are returned to the laboratory. Infants – rectal collection with clear (single swab) culturette is acceptable for Rotavirus Assay.
  6. Due to refrigeration requirements, specimens may not be mailed to the laboratory.

Important Reminders:

  • All specimens must have the patient’s name on the container or they will not be accepted by the laboratory. The patient’s date of birth and date and time of collection should also be written on the container at the time the specimen is collected.
  • A rectal swab with visible stool is acceptable for Stool Culture and Rotavirus testing.
  • If a specimen leaks, a new specimen must be collected, delaying test results. Therefore, it is very important that the lid of the container is tightened all the way and the zip lock bag is completely sealed.
  • If you have questions regarding the collection of your stool specimen, you may contact the laboratory at (701)780-6268.
  • Test results must be obtained from the provider and will not be communicated by the laboratory.

L:\MICRO\Specimen Collection\Stool Collection-Clinic Patient Guidelines MC02018.02.doc Updated 07/10/2017