Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection.

1. Submit stool in a stool collection cup or Cary Blair media. Diarrheal stool specimen is best for culture. Any mucus or blood-tinged portions of the stool should be submitted for examination.

2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), hospital identification number or date of birth, date and time of collection, and source of specimen.

3. Causes for rejection:

A. Inadequately labeled specimen
B. Improper container

C. Insufficient specimen volume

D. Specimen too old

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Only 1 specimen per 24 hours will be accepted.

3. Whenever possible, bacteriological examinations should be carried out before antibiotic therapy is instituted.