Collect Stool Specimens At Home Instructions
No special preparation is required before collecting a stool specimen (sample). You should be
given a sterile cup to collect the specimen at home.
Collect the specimen as follows:
• Urinate before collecting the stool so that you do not get any urine in the stool sample. Do
not urinate while passing the stool.
• Stool can contain material that spreads infection, so wash your hands before and after you
collect the specimen.
• Pass stool (but no urine) into a sterile cup. You may also tape cling or plastic wrap across the
toilet to catch the stool, please see picture below.
• Either solid or liquid stool can be collected.
• If you have diarrhea, a plastic bag taped to the toilet seat may make the collection process
easier; the bag is then placed in a sterile cup.
• Do not collect the sample from the toilet bowl.
• Do not mix toilet paper, water, or soap with the sample.
• Place the lid on the container and label it with your name and the date the stool was
collected.
• Deliver your stool specimen the same day you collect it to your county health department.
Reasons why the results may not be helpful include:
• Recent use of antibiotics, medicine (such as bismuth) to control diarrhea, enemas, or
laxatives.
• Recent X-ray tests using a contrast material containing barium.
• A stool sample that is mixed with urine or blood.
• Not collecting a large enough sample.
• Not getting the stool sample to the lab for testing quickly enough.
Information based on http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/stool-culture
