Sample Requirements

Specimen:  Stool

Container(s): Sterile Screw-Capped Container  or a Hemoccult® card with adequate sample.

Preferred Vol: 1 gram stool

Minimum Vol: 1 gram stool

Notes: No diapers accepted. Fecal specimens should not be collected if hematuria or obvious rectal bleeding, such as from hemorrhoids, is present. Premenopausal women must be instructed to avoid collecting fecal specimens during or in the first three days after a menstrual period. Prior to collection the patient should avoid: red meat, turnips, horseradish, vitamin C (in excess of 250 mG/day), aspirin, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Foods to eat: small amounts of chicken and tuna, cooked fruits and vegetables, peanuts, popcorn, bran cereal. Since bleeding from gastrointestinal lesions may be intermittent, fecal specimens for testing should be collected from three consecutive bowel movements or three bowel movements closely spaced in time. Write collection date and time on the outside of each card. Each collection requires a separate order. Cimetidine (Tagamet) prescribed for ulcers has no effect on test. This test may NOT be used for gastric specimens. Stool samples in containers are stable for 36 hours and Hemoccult® cards are stable for 14 days.