Stool Culture, Routine (Includes E. Coli Shiga toxin by EIA), Stool

Stool Culture, Routine (Includes E. Coli Shiga toxin by EIA)

Order Code:	C STL
Order Form:	Microbiology/Molecular Pathology Infectious Disease Requisition

Specimen:

Stool

Collection Medium:

Sterile container

Minimum:

Submit 10-20 g stool in sterile container. Transport time is less than or equal to 1 hr. Refrigerate if transport is delayed.

Testing Schedule:

0700-2200, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Turn Around Time:

Cultures are completed within 2-5 days.

Comments:

Stools are cultured to isolate bacterial causative agents of diarrheal illness; Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Shiga toxin producing E. coli. Routine stool culture includes EIA for Shiga toxin from E. coli. Cultures for Yersinia are performed by special request. Culture may also be requested to R/O Anthrax Stool cultures are not performed for patients who have been hospitalized greater than 3 days without laboratory consultation. See "Surveillance Culture" for Bone Marrow Transplant and other immunocompromised patients to detect overgrowth of normal flora by Staph aureus, yeast, or a gram negative bacillus.

Instructions:

Label specimen with two patient identifiers, date and time of collection.

Sample 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.
Submit in leakproof container.

Sample Storage:

Refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Transport Instructions:

Coolant packs up to 8 hours.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.

CPT Code:

87045, 87046, 87427