Sample Required
A fresh faecal specimen is to be collected in the faecal specimen container. The minimum amount required is approximately 1g (the size of a walnut).
Special Requirements
- Specimens collected into toilet paper or absorbent nappies are unsuitable.
- If the doctor has not noted your clinical history, the collector will need to ask if you have recently travelled, eaten shellfish or taken antibiotics.
Equipment
- 1x Brown or White Specimen Container
- Available from any Australian Clinical Labs Collection Centre or your doctor.
Procedure
- Collect a faeces specimen (bowel motion the size of a walnut) and transfer into the faecal specimen container provided.
- The sample can be passed into a separate clean container, for example a plastic container like an ice cream container and then scrape the faeces into the sterile faecal specimen container using the scoop which forms part of the lid.
- Write your surname, first given name, date of birth, sample number (if multiple specimens) and time and date of collection on the container.
- Return the specimen to an Australian Clinical Labs Collection Centre or Laboratory as soon as possible or within a maximum of 24 hours after collection.
- The collection staff will check your details (surname, first given name, date of birth and date/time of collection on the container label) against the pathology request form to ensure the sample is matched to the doctor’s request. This is done to ensure the safety and security of reporting your test results.
Note:
Medicare reimbursement is limited to one test only for microscopy and culture in any 7 day period.
A separately collected specimen for ova, cysts and parasites only, collected in the same 7 day period as the specimen for micro and culture, is Medicare rebatable.
If your doctor requires further testing, a new referral and specimen are required.