Stool Culture

Notes:  1. Stool culture is not routinely performed on inpatients after third inpatient day unless admitting diagnosis was gastroenteritis or if physician specifically requests procedure.

2. Unless otherwise requested, routine examination for enteric pathogens will include:  Aeromonas, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, and Vibrio species.

Rectal Swab

1. Insert a red (Liquid Stuart) culture swab into rectum approximately 1 inch beyond anal sphincter.

2. Carefully rotate swab.

3. Return swab to tube and push down until swab makes contact with moistened pledget.

4. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Stool Specimen

1. A series of 3 stool cultures are recommended. Collect and submit 3 specimens, 1 each day for 3 days.

2. Collect stool directly into a cup or into a clean bedpan after patient has voided urine. Avoid contamination of stool with urine.

3. Transfer stool into a sterile collection cup.

4. Label cup with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, and type of specimen.

5. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. If there is a delay in transport of 2 to 3 hours, add a portion of stool to a Para-Pak® stool C & S Transport System for preservation.

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

No Salmonella species

No Shigella species

No Yersinia species

No Escherichia coli serogroup O157

No Vibrio species isolated