Specimen Requirements

 Soft or Liquid Stool  (Type 6 or 7 on the Bristol Stool Chart)

A.  Fresh liquid or soft stool  in a sterile container  WITHOUT PRESERVATIVE.

1. Supplies -  Sterile and leak-proof container.
2. Volume - Walnut size or 2 mL
3. Collection Instructions:
   • Collect fresh, unpreserved liquid or soft stool.
   • If specimen is collected in a bedpan or collection “hat”, patient should urinate into another container before collecting stool specimen.
   • Transfer stool to a sterile, leak proof container. Those portions of stool containing blood and mucus are especially significant and should be selected.
   • Label container with patient’s legal name, date, collection time and initials of the collector.
   • Refrigerate after collection.
   • Transport to the laboratory as soon as possible.
4. Stability - up to 72 hours at 2 - 8° C

B.  Liquid or soft stool  in Cary Blair (CB) Transport Media  WITH PRESERVATIVE.

1. Supplies - Cary Blair Transport Medium
2. Volume - Fill CB Transport Media with stool until container contents rise to the red line.
3. Collection Instructions:
   • Collect as per Section A instructions above for fresh liquid or soft stool.
   • Transfer stool into CB Transport Media. Those portions of stool containing blood and mucus are especially significant and should be selected.
   • Tighten cap and mix well.
   • Label container with patient legal name, date, collection time and initials of the collector.
   • Refrigerate after collection.
   • Transport to the laboratory as soon as possible.
4. Stability - up to 72 hours at 2 - 8° C