Culture Stool
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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.