Specimen:

Stool

Minimum:

Pea sized portion of stool

Testing
Schedule:

0700-1630, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Analytic Time:

1 week

Comments:

Within 1 hour of collection transfer a few grams of stool to each vial 
of O&P UHL collection kit.  The kits can be ordered by calling UHL at 
319-335-4500 or ordering from the UHL Hygienic Laboratory web site.  
The UHL requisition supplied with the kit must be filled out by the 
ordering unit.

Minimum information needed includes the patient name, date of birth, 
ordering physician, date of collection, test requested and specimen 
type.  Both sample vials must be labeled.  The vials must be labeled 
with two patient identifiers.

A minimum of three stool specimens collected on alternate days is  
recommended.  Onset of diarrhea in patients hospitalized for >3 days is  
usually not attributed to a parasitic infection.

Order Code:  C OP

Methodology:

Direct examination

Sample
Processing:

Immediately place specimen into vial of transport media and seal 
tightly.
Specimen source is required on requisition for processing.
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of 
collection.
Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as 
possible.

Sample
Storage:

Maintain specimen at room temperature.

Transport
Instructions:

Ship at ambient temperature.

Instructions:

Specimen needs to be preserved in PVA and formalin solution provided in 
kit.