Specimen Requirements

Please submit TWO SPECIMENS WITH EACH ORDER.  One in Para-Pak C & S and one in a sterile container.  

• Stool must be placed in Para-Pak C&S within one hour of collection.
• Refrigerate both specimens until delivered to laboratory.
• Formed stool specimens are not acceptable and will be rejected.

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect entire stool in a collection container not contaminated with urine.
2. Using built-in collection spoon attached to lid of Para-Pak C & S stool transport container, fill container to raise level to fill line indicated on label.
3. Submit a 3 - g portion of stool specimen in Para-Pak and also a "walnut-sized" portion in a sterile urine cup provided. Use portions of stool specimen that are watery, bloody, or slimy, or collect from ends, sides, and middle of specimen. Note: For low volume specimens, 1 part stool can be added to 3 parts C & S transport media (remove some transport media from the container to achieve this ratio);  Minimum volume of transport media is 1 ml.
4. Tighten cap on the Para-Pak container and shake until well mixed.
5. Check description on label which best describes specimen.
6. Label both specimens with patient’s name, date of birth or hospital medical record number, specimen source, date and time of collection, and collector’s initials. Use Patient label when ever avaliable.

Note: Specimens containing barium, mineral oil, tap water, urine, or bismuth salts (present in disposable diapers and toilet tissue) are unsuitable and should not be submitted for testing.