Specimen Requirements

Send one of the following specimens.  Swab is the preferred sample type.

Swab

1.  Insert swab from a Culturette transport medium (Stuart's Liquid Medium) 3 cm into the anal canal.  (Calcium alginate swabs or  swabs with  wooden shafts are not acceptable.)

2.  Move swab from side to side to sample crypts.

3.  Withdraw swab.  If swab is contaminated with feces, discard the swab and recollect.

4.  Place the swab back in the Culturette transport tube.

5.  Label the transport tube with the patient's name (first and last), date of birth, the date and time of collection and the sample type.

6.  Maintain sterility and forward promptly.  The swab must be cultured within 24 hours of collection.

Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing

Feces

1. 2 g to 5 g of first-morning feces containing blood, mucous, or pus in a sterile, leakproof, wide-mouth container. (Specimen contaminated with barium, mineral oil, urine, or toilet water is not acceptable.)
2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
3. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.  Unpreserved stool must be received in the laboratory within one hour of collection.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.