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Culture Stool

Important Note

Test is no longer orderable at MercyOne Waterloo, and will be reordered as GI Panel B. Please transition to this new order and specimen requirements ASAP. Call Microbiology at 3192728871 with any questions.

Infectious

Additional Codes

Epic Order ID LAB223IA

Sub activity Type

Microbiology

Specimen Type

Stool

Collect in clean container and transport to laboratory within 2 hours of collection. Specimen should not be contaminated with urine. Outpatient specimens that cannot be delivered within 2 hours must be placed in Cary-Blair transport media (orange) at time of collection. 

 

Rectal Swab

Acceptable for small children and diagnosis of acute diarrhea. Less satisfactory than a stool specimen for detection of carrier state.

Clinical Information

Culture Stool is usually done in cases of diarrhea or dysentery mainly for the isolation of Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter.

 

No more than 2 specimens per patient should be submitted for examination without prior consultation with a pathologist.

 

Specimens should not be submitted on inpatients after the third hospital day without prior consultation with a pathologist.

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