Specimen Requirements

Orders for specimens x3 are not accepted.

PCR testing is highly specific and sensitive and only one sample is required.

Only one specimen per 7 days is accepted if the previous result was NEGATIVE.

Only one specimen per 10 days is accepted if the previous result was POSITIVE.

1. Submit 1 mL of liquid  stool in a clean, dry container.Stool must be a 7 on the Bristol scale. 
2. Label container with patient’s name, date of birth, and date of collection,

3. Forward promptly at ambient temperature. If there is a delay in transport, send specimen refrigerated.

4. Specimens must be transported in biohazard bags to prevent cross-contamination.

5. Causes for rejection:

- Inadequately labeled specimen

- Improper container

- Insufficient specimen volume

- Unacceptable consistency of stool

- No more than one specimen within seven days for patients with negative C. difficile results.

- No more than one specimen within 10 days for patients with positive C. difficile results.

- Test must not be used for test of cure.