Which instruction should the nurse give to the client when a stool specimen is to be collected?

The Bureau of Laboratories performs the following tests for stool pathogens: Enteric Pathogens, Norovirus and Clostridium difficile toxin. As clinically indicated, the suspected pathogen must be noted on the specimen submission form.

Stool Specimen Collection Kit

Kits are provided to only to public health centers.

Instructions for use of the kits are provided below and are available as a printable PDF. The form below should be used to place orders for additional collection kits.

• Stool Specimen Collection Kit Instructions for Public Health Collection Sites
• Stool Specimen Collection Kit Instructions for Patients
• Stool Specimen Collection Kit Order Form

 Contents

• Cary Blair Medium (pink color)
• Biohazard bag with absorbent pad
• Specimen submission form
• Clear plastic bag
• Cold pack
• Foam packing insert
• Pre-addressed, postage-paid cardboard mailer

Collection Instructions

Upon receipt of the kit, freeze the cold pack. Stool should be passed into a clean, dry container or paper cup. Use the attached spoon to add a sufficient amount of stool to the vial to bring the volume up to the fill line. Mix the stool and liquid completely with the spoon. Tightly screw on the cap and shake the container vigorously for about one minute. Label the container with your name and the collection date. This information must appear on BOTH the specimen and the submission form or testing will NOT be performed. Place the stool container in the biohazard bag with the absorbent pad. Seal the bag. Refrigerate the stool container until shipping.

Shipping Instructions

Carefully place the biohazard bag containing the stool container into the foam box and add the cold pack. Close the foam box and put it into the cardboard mailer. Put the completed specimen submission form in the clear plastic bag. Seal the bag and place it between the foam box and cardboard mailer. Close the outer mailer and seal it with tape. Place the box into a United States Postal Service mailbox or take it to a post office for delivery.

Specimen Submission Form

Bureau of Laboratories Specimen Submission Form

Digital Edition: Specimen collection 3: obtaining a faecal specimen from a patient with diarrhoea

14 August, 2017

This article, the third in a four-part series, describes the procedure for collecting a faecal specimen from a patient with diarrhoea

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Please Follow Instructions Carefully

The quality of your specimen is critical to the accuracy of your test results.

Questions?

Contact the lab at 252-808-6061

Preparation

If you had a barium swallow, you must delay collection until the barium has passed from your system. If possible, avoid the following within 48 hours before stool collection: Pepto Bismol, Maalox, mineral oil, antacids (Rolaids, Tums), Kaopectate.

Number To Collect

Collect one specimen per day unless otherwise instructed.

How To Collect The Specimen(s)

1. Avoiding contact with urine, pass stool directly into the stool cup OR pass stool into a large clean container (such as a cut out milk jug) OR onto a newspaper placed under the seat of the toilet. Transfer entire specimen into the stool cup using the tongue depressor provided or other handy implement (such as a plastic spoon). If your stools are loose, pass directly into a container, not onto newspaper.
2. Label the stool cup with your full name, date and time of collection.
3. Submit the specimen to the lab within two hours of collection.

If you cannot transport the specimen to the lab within two hours, follow specimen handling requirements marked below:

• Clostridium DifficileRefrigerate specimen and submit within 24 hours.
• Culture For PathogensPlace specimen into transport media by adding stool to the vial until the fluid rises to the red line. Replace the cap and mix gently. Label the container with your name, date and time of collection. If the specimen is bloody, indicate this by writing the word "bloody" on the label. Leave the vial at room temp and submit within 24 hrs.
• Stool For WBCNo transport media is available to preserve WBC's, submission of specimen within 24 hrs is very important.
• Ova & ParasitesPlace specimen into both vials of the transport media by adding stool to each until the fluid level rises to the black arrow. Replace the caps and mix gently. Label each container with your name, date and time of collection, and mark the appropriate block for the specimen appearance. Leave the vials at room temp and submit within 24 hrs.
• Occult Blood***Refrigerate and submit within 24 hrs. See separate list of dietary substances that may interfere with this test.

Occult Blood Testing on Stool Specimens

Please bring your physician order with the specimens and register in the Carteret General Outpatient Registration Department, if you have not already done so. Drop off specimen at the Lab Department or at the OP Center (7:30am to 3:00pm) near Patient Registration.

Number To Collect

Collect one per day unless otherwise instructed. Do only one test per bowel movement.

How To Collect The Specimen(s)

1. Avoiding contact with urine, pass stool directly into a large clean container (such as a cut out milk jug) OR onto a newspaper placed under the seat of the toilet. If your stools are loose, pass directly into a container, not onto newspaper.
2. Using the stick provided, scoop a small amount of stool and rub on the white circle inside the test card.
3. Label the test card with your full name, date and time of collection of the specimen.
4. Return the test card(s) with the test orders as soon as conveniently possible and at least within 48 hours of collection.

Patient Preparation

If you had a BARIUM SWALLOW, you MUST DELAY collection until the barium has passed from your system.
If possible, avoid the following foods, derivatives, and supplements for 72 hours before specimen collection

False negative test results may be caused by:

• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• Antacids (e.g. Pepto Bismol, Maalox, mineral oil, Rolaids, Tums, Kaopectate)

False positive test results may be caused by:

• Red meat
• Peroxidase-rich vegetables and fruits (turnips, horseradish, artichokes, mushrooms, radishes, broccoli, bean sprouts, cauliflower, apples, oranges, bananas, cantaloupes, grapes)
• Alcohol and aspirin (especially if taken together)
• Therapeutic iron
• Other gastric irritants (steroids, rauwolfia derivatives, all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine)

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