MCL Laboratory specimen collection and test information
		Screw cap jar and CNS Vial
Stool Culture		10-20 gram or cc
Alternative name(s)
Lab section	Microbiology
When performed	24 hours / 7 days (daily)
When reported	Daily

Sunquest code	STLC
SMS code	C/S STOOL or CULTURE, STOOL

Specimen collection instructions
Important notes:	Pass stool directly into a clean, dry container. Stools are routinely screened for Samonella, Shigella, Vibrio, Campylobacter and Aeromonas, Culture for Yersinia or E Coli O:157 are sent to the Reference Lab on request. NOTE: For VRE only, order VRE SCREEN. No more than 2 separate stool specimens preferably on separate days will be accepted without consult. Not accepted on hospitalized patients in house more than 3 days without consultation, test for C. difficile should be considered for these patients. AFB culture is not performed on stool.
Rejection criteria:	Swab or dry stool on stick, unlabeled or mislabeled specimen, leaking container; more than 2 without consult; patient hospitalized more than 3 days.
Transportation notes:	within 2hr RT, 2 to 24 hr 4C Submit stool in sterile screw cap jar and CNS Vial.
Specimen preparation:	All specimens for Microbiology must be submitted ASAP to maximize bacterial recovery.

Instructions for Stool Specimen Collection Kit

MCL Web resources

Specimen packaging pages

Reference lab

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MCL Web Resources
Last revised 11/07/2011