Specimen:

Stool

Collection Medium:

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.

Analytic 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.

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.

Instructions:

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

CPT Code:

87045, 87046, 87427

See also:
Bacterial Culture

See Additional Information:
Microbiology Specimen Collection and Transport