Stool testing instructions for patients

(Courtesy of safefood)

What to practise if your GP has asked y'all for a stool sample.

A stool test is often used to investigate diarrhoea and other gut problems. To collect the stool (bowel movement) specimen, follow the instructions below. It is important to follow the instructions advisedly to give the laboratory and your doctor the best adventure of finding out what is wrong.

  1. First write your or the patient'south name and date of birth, and the appointment and time of collection on the specimen jar prior to use. Check that these details lucifer those on the laboratory request class.
  2. The best way to collect the stool specimen is past placing a big make clean disposable container, e.g. an empty ice cream or have-away container, paper-thin kidney dish, inside the toilet basin. The container does not have to be sterile but must be clean and dry.
  3. Pass the stool into the container. Plastic wrap tin be used to line the nappy of an infant.
  4. Using the small scoop fastened to the lid of the specimen jar or spatula provided, collect some of the stool from the container and transfer information technology to the jar. Exist conscientious non to go any on the outside of the jar. You only need a small corporeality i.e. half-filling the jar is enough.
  5. Screw the lid on tightly.
  6. Put the jar into a plastic bag and brand sure the pocketbook is sealed.
  7. Keep in a cool place only not in the fridge or virtually food.
  8. Carefully dispose of soiled container in a sealed plastic bag.
  9. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  10. Your doctor volition tell you lot what to do with the sample then that it tin can be sent to the lab as presently as possible.
  11. Ensure you have made an arrangement with your doctor about getting the result of your test. This will take 48-72 hours.

Stool sampling

Last updated: 18th June 2012