Stool Specimen Collections

Stool Specimen Collections:-

For routine examination
Collect one specimen per day unless otherwise instructed.
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/ 2 table spoon in clean transparent plastic or glass container using handy implement such as a plastic spoon.
The specimen must include any abnormal appearing part—mucos ( white appearance,) Blood (Red / brown / black), segments or whole worm
*** If your stools are loose, pass directly into a container, not onto newspaper.
Label the stool cup with your full name, date and time of collection.
Submit the specimen to the lab WITHIN 2 HOURS OF COLLECTION
Transport the specimen to the lab within 2 hours,
For Stool culture:
Patient Preparation
If patient had a BARIUM SWALLOW, he MUST DELAY collection until the barium has passed from his system. ( 24-48 hrs.)
If possible, avoid the following foods derivatives, and supplements for 72 hours before specimen collection

False negative occult blood 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