Specimen Requirements

Avoid recent antibiotics, X-ray contrast material, antidiarrheal medications, antacids, bismuth, or oil instillation.

It is recommended that no more than 2 specimens be collected on separate days be submitted for culture.

Inpatient specimens should NOT be submitted after day 3 of admission. No evidence of stool pathogens picked up during hospital stays. Specimen appropriate on an inpatient prior to day 4.

Specimen source is required.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Specimen Type: Stool, fresh, random collection

Container/Tube: Leakproof, sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth and/or Social Security number, date and time of collection, and source of specimen.

Submit to lab within 30 mins

In outpatient setting, submit specimen in Cary Blair transport media which can be obtained from the microbiology department or from Saint Francis Regional lab.