Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Stool
Container/Tube: SAF Fixative container (clear liquid preservative) of the stool specimen collection kit, Formalin or ECOFIX
Volume: Fill to the line on the container
Minimum volume: 5 mL
Collection Instructions: Collect specimen and transfer to the SAF Fixative container (clear liquid preservative) of the stool specimen collection kit within one hour of collection. 

1. Collect the specimen in a dry, clean lab approved container. 

Do not contaminate the stool specimen with urine or scoop sample from the toilet bowl.

2. Transfer the specimen to the container within 1 hour of collection. If the stool is liquid, transfer the specimen by pouring it from the clean container into the testing vials. If the stool is solid, use the scoop provided with each vial, to transfer the specimen to the testing vials to the line on the label. Do not overfill.

3. Containers include a liquid. Fill the vial until the liquid reaches the line on the label. Do not overfill.

4. Collect all other tests in the Clean (white cap) container. Fill the vial to the line. Do not overfill. Refrigerate the Clean Vial (white cap) until ready to transport to lab. 

5. Label all containers with your full name, date of birth, and date and time of collection. Be sure the caps are secured. Place containers in a paper sack.

6. Deliver to your doctor’s office or to the lab ASAP (within 24 hours).

7. If you have several vials to fill, you may fill as many as you can off the same bowel movement as long as they don’t have the same colored top.

If collecting multiple specimens for Ova and Parasite, it is recommended that up to 3 specimens be collected over the course of 7- 10 days. Successive specimens submitted on the same day will be rejected.

Giardia/Cryptosporidium screen is not recommended on patients who have been hospitalized more than three days. Beyond the three days, the yield of ova and parasites or intestinal pathogens is very low, with recommendation to order C. difficile toxin testing or consult Infectious Disease.

Caution: The liquid is poisonous. Do not splash or spill. Keep out of the reach of children.

For a print out version of these instructions please refer to the "Resources"  section on the left.