Laboratory Medicine

Specimen Handling

Collection Instructions: Collect one stool specimen per sterile orange cap container. If advised to collect 3 samples, collect one specimen per day for 3 days consecutively.

Food, Vitamins and Drugs to avoid 24-48 hours before collecting sample.

i). Avoid Red meat (beef, Iamb) including processed meets and liver.

ii). Avoid Any raw fruits and vegetables (especially melons, radishes, turnips and horseradish).

iii). Avoid Vitamin C in excess of 250mg per day

Write your initials, the date and time of collection on each collection bottle and requisition.

Laboratory Staff Instructions Samples must be stored for at least 3 days and not greater than 14 days at room temperature (15-30 °C) before developing. This allows any fruit and vegetable peroxidases present in the sample to degrade

Rejection Criteria: Frozen samples are unacceptable. Unlabeled or samples of non sufficient quantity.

Stability: Slides containing samples may be stored for up to 14 days at room temperature (15 – 30 °C) before developing. Do not freeze. Protect from heat and light.

Transportation: Send sample to core lab as soon as possible.