Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Stool
Container/Tube: SAF Fixative container (clear liquid preservative) of the stool specimen collection kit, Formalin or ECOFIX
Volume: Fill to the line on the container
Minimum volume: 5 mL
Collection Instructions: Collect specimen and transfer to the SAF Fixative container (clear liquid preservative) of the stool specimen collection kit within 30 minutes of the bowel movement.

1. Collect the specimen in a dry, clean lab approved container. 

Do not contaminate the stool specimen with urine or scoop sample from the toilet bowl. 

2. Transfer the specimen to the container within 30 minutes of the bowel movement.

3. Containers include a liquid. Do not discard this liquid. Fill the vial until the liquid reaches the line on the label. Do not overfill. For small sample volume, remove some of the media and then add stool, trying to maintain the 1 to 3 ratio of stool to media.

Note: If the stool is liquid, transfer the specimen by pouring it from the clean container into the testing vials. If the stool is solid, use the scoop provided with each vial, to transfer the specimen to the testing vials to the line on the label. 

4. If you have several vials to fill, you may fill as many as you can off the same bowel movement as long as they don’t have the same colored top.

5. Label all containers with your full name, date of birth, and date and time of collection. Be sure the caps are secured. Place containers in a paper sack.

6. Deliver to your doctor’s office or to the lab ASAP (within 24 hours).
 

Caution: The liquid is poisonous. Do not splash or spill. Keep out of the reach of children.