Collection Instructions

If your physician has requested that you submit a sample for any of the tests or sample types listed below, we urge you to review the corresponding collection instructions to ensure proper sample collection.

NOTE: Always follow your physician’s collection instructions first - even if they differ from the collection instructions stated by Sonora Quest Laboratories.

24-Hour Urine Collection - English

Your physician has requested a test or tests that requires you to collect all urine for a 24-hour period for submission to the laboratory for testing. It is important that you follow these instructions carefully to ensure that the test results are as accurate as possible. If you should miss collecting any urine into the container during the 24-hour period, you should discard the entire specimen and start over using a new collection container. 

• On the beginning of the day of collection, when you rise in the morning, note the time and empty your bladder into the toilet as usual. (Do not save this first urine in the collection container.)
• Begin collecting every urine specimen thereafter. Keep the container cold, on ice, in the bathroom or in your refrigerator.
• It is important to collect ALL urine for the 24-hour period. If you get up during the night, be sure to add the urine to the container. Your physician needs a total volume and all specimens to ensure accurate results.
• When you rise in the morning of the second day, collect this specimen into the container as the last specimen of the collection period. Try to arise at approximately the same time as the previous day to reflect collection for a full 24 hours.

EXAMPLE: If you start the collection at 8:00 a.m. on Monday morning, the last collection should be approximately 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

• Label the container with your first and last name, as well as the start and end times and dates for the collection. Keep the container cold and deliver to the laboratory as soon as possible, preferably within 30 minutes.

NOTE: Do not begin the collection on a Saturday morning, as there are no Sonora Quest Laboratories facilities open on Sunday to accept the collection.

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24-Hour Urine Collection - Spanish

Su médico a solicitado una recolección de orina durante un periodo de 24 horas para evaluar varias pruebas. Es importante seguir las instrucciones adecuadamente.

• Cuando se levante en la mañana, note la hora del día. Orine normalmente sin recolectar la primera orina del día.
• Empiece con la segunda muestra del día notando la hora de recolección de la esta muestra. Asegure colectar toda la orina en el recipiente que le entrego el Laboratorio.
• Es muy importante que recolecte TODAS las muestras de orina en este recipiente durante las siguientes 24 horas. El Laboratorio necesita pesar el volumen total de la orina.
• Si Usted comienza Lunes a la 8:00 a.m. su ultima recolección será el Martes a las 8:00 a.m. Si usted se levanta durante la noche dentro del periodo de las 24 horas, por favor incluya esta misma muestra en el recipiente. Todas las muestras de orina necesitan ser coleccionadas en el recipiente.
• Mantenga el recipiente frió durante el periodo de colección. Lo puede guardar en el refrigerador o en una cubeta con hielo.
• Cuando termine su recolección de orina. Entregue el recipiente al Laboratorio con la orden de su médico. Favor de indicar su nombre completo, fecha y tiempo que empezó y termino su colección en la etiqueta. La muestra debe ser entregada lo MAS pronto posible y manténgala fría durante su transporte al Laboratorio.

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24-Hour Urine Collection for 5HIAA

Your physician has requested a test or tests that requires you to collect all urine for a 24-hour period for the submission to the laboratory for testing. It is important that you follow these instructions carefully to ensure that the test results are as accurate as possible. If you should miss collecting any urine into the container during the 24-hour period, you should discard the entire specimen and start over using a new collection container.

Please note the following:

• Avoid food high in indoles such as avocado, banana, tomato, plum, walnut, pineapple, and eggplant
• Avoid tobacco, tea, and coffee for 3 days prior to collection
• Avoid foods high in seratonin such as chocolate, avocado, banana, tomato, plum, walnut, pineapple, and eggplant
• Avoid medications that include phenothiazines, glyceryl, guaicolote, resorpine, MAO inhibitors, and imipramine. Contact your physician before discontinuing any medications.

Collect the 24 hour urine specimen as follows:

• On the beginning of the day of collection, when you rise in the morning, note the time and empty your bladder into the toilet as usual. (Do not save this first urine in the collection container.)
• Begin collecting every urine specimen thereafter. Keep the container cold, on ice, in the bathroom or in your refrigerator.
• It is important to collect ALL urine for the 24-hour period. If you get up during the night, be sure to add the urine to the container. Your physician needs a total volume and all specimens to ensure accurate results.
• When you rise in the morning of the second day, collect this specimen into the container as the last specimen of the collection period. Try to arise at approximately the same time as the previous day to reflect collection for a full 24 hours.

EXAMPLE: If you start the collection at 8:00 a.m. on Monday morning, the last collection should be approximately 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

• Label the container with your first and last name, as well as the start and end times and dates for the collection. Keep the container cold and deliver to the laboratory as soon as possible, preferably within 30 minutes.

NOTE: Do not begin the collection on a Saturday morning, as there are no Sonora Quest Laboratories facilities open on Sunday to accept the collection.

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24-Hour Urine Collection for VMA, Catecholamines, Metanephrines

Your physician has requested a test or tests that requires you to collect all urine for a 24-hour period for the submission to the laboratory for testing. It is important that you follow these instructions carefully to ensure that the test results are as accurate as possible. If you should miss collecting any urine into the container during the 24-hour period, you should discard the entire specimen and start over using a new collection container.

Please note the following:

• It is preferable for the patient to be off medications for three days prior to collection. However, antihypertensives (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, alpha and beta blockers) cause minimal interference. Contact your physician before discontinuing any medications.
• Avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise prior to collection.

Collect the 24-hour urine specimen as follows:

• On the beginning of the day of collection, when you rise in the morning, note the time and empty your bladder into the toilet as usual. (Do not save this first urine in the collection container.)
• Begin collecting every urine specimen thereafter. Keep the container cold, on ice, in the bathroom or in your refrigerator.
• It is important to collect ALL urine for the 24-hour period. If you get up during the night, be sure to add the urine to the container. Your physician needs a total volume and all specimens to ensure accurate results.
• When you rise in the morning of the second day, collect this specimen into the container as the last specimen of the collection period. Try to arise at approximately the same time as the previous day to reflect collection for a full 24 hours.

EXAMPLE: If you start the collection at 8:00 a.m. on Monday morning, the last collection should be approximately 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

• Label the container with your first and last name, as well as the start and end times and dates for the collection. Keep the container cold and deliver to the laboratory as soon as possible, preferably within 30 minutes.

NOTE: Do not begin the collection on a Saturday morning, as there are no Sonora Quest Laboratories facilities open on Sunday to accept the collection.

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Complete Semen Analysis - English

Collection Procedure for Complete Semen Analysis* (Phoenix & Tucson)

Please follow all instructions below to assure proper specimen collection.

• Please call the Patient Service Center to schedule semen analysis:
  
  Phoenix: Monday through Friday

       1450 S. Dobson #A-104, Mesa 480-969-2494

       5605 W. Eugie #104, Glendale 602-978-2441

       Phoenix: Saturday Morning

       1450 S. Dobson #A-104, Mesa 480-969-2494

       Tucson: Monday through Friday & Saturday Morning

       630 N. Alvernon Way #120, Tucson 520-886-8101

• The semen specimen should be collected after 2-7 days of sexual abstinence unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
• The specimen can be collected at home and delivered to the lab, or collected at the lab. If specimen is collected at home, it must be delivered to the lab within ½ hour. Keep the sample near body temperature (25° - 40° C or 77° - 104° F).
• Collect the specimen by masturbation into a sterile container (containers are provided by the laboratory). Collecting semen in a condom or by coitus interruptus is not acceptable. Since the volume of semen produced may be significant to diagnosis, it is important to submit the entire specimen. Be sure the container lid is closed tightly.
• Label the container with your name, date of collection, and exact time of collection.

*Test code 901289 (post vas with reflex to motility) should be received with ½ hour of collection
*Post vasectomy semen analysis may be submitted to any Patient Service Center within 24 hours of collection.

Required Information for Semen Analysis Testing
The information below is needed to properly evaluate the results of this test. If you have any concerns about how to answer the questions, please ask your doctor or a Sonora Quest Laboratories employee.

1. Number of days of abstinence (days since last ejaculation)
2. Method of Collection (Masturbation; Other)
3. Was a Sterile Collection Container Used? [Yes] [No]
   If no, please describe the collection container.
4. Specimen must be kept at body temperature until delivery to the laboratory. Have you maintained the collection container at or near body temperature prior to the delivery to the laboratory? [Yes] [No]
   If no, please explain at what temperature (e.g., room temperature, refrigerated, etc.) was the collection container maintained?

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Complete Semen Analysis - Spanish

Por favor siga todas las instrucciones abajo para asegurar la recogida correcta de la muestra.

• Por favor llame al Centro de Servicios para Pacientes para programar un análisis de semen:

        Phoenix: Lunes a Viernes

      1500 S. Dobson #201A, Mesa 480-969-2494

      5605 W. Eugie #104, Glendale 602-978-2441

      Phoenix: Sábado en la Mañana

      1500 S. Dobson #201A, Mesa 480-969-2494

      Tucson: Lunes a Viernes y Sábado en la Mañana

      630 N. Alvernon Way #120, Tucson 520-886-8101

• Se debe recoger la muestra de semen después de 2 a 7 días de abstinencia sexual a menos que su médico le dé otras instrucciones.
• Se puede recoger la muestra en casa y entregarla al laboratorio, o se puede recogerla en el laboratorio.
• Si se recoge la muestra en casa, se tiene que entregar al laboratorio dentro de ½ hora. Mantenga la muestra cerca de la temperatura del cuerpo (25º a 40º C o 77º a 104º F)
• Recoja la muestra masturbándose en un recipiente estéril (los recipientes son proporcionados por el laboratorio). La recogida del semen en un condón o por coitus interruptus no es aceptable. Puesto que el volumen de semen producido puede ser significativo para el diagnóstico, es importante presentar la muestra entera. Esté seguro de que la tapa del recipiente esté muy bien cerrada.
• Póngale una etiqueta al recipiente con su nombre, la fecha de recogida y la hora exacta de la recogida.

*Se puede presentar el análisis de semen después de la vasectomía a cualquier Centro de Servicios para Pacientes dentro de 24 horas de la recogida.

Información Necesaria pata el Análisis de Semen
La siguiente información será necesaria para la evaluación de esta prueba. Si Usted tiene alguna duda sobre como contestar las preguntas, por favor solicite ayuda de su medico o de personal del laboratorio.

1. Numero de días abstinentes (días desde su ultima eyaculacion)
2. Forma de colección (Masturbación; Otro)
3. Uso un recipiente estéril? [Si] [No]
   Es no, describa el recipiente
4. Es importante mantener la muestra a temperatura corporal hasta que se entregue al laboratorio. Ha usted mantenido el recipiente a, o cerca de, la temperatura corporal? [Si] [No]
   Favor de explicar a que nivel de temperatura ha mantenido el recipiente (ambiente, refrigerado, etc.) antes de entregarlo al laboratorio?

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Female Urine Collection - English & Spanish

Standard Urine Specimen Collection

1. Wash hands with soap.
2. Open the container WITHOUT TOUCHING THE INSIDE OF THE CUP.
3. Separate the folds of the urinary opening and use the towelettes to cleanse the area wiping from front to back.
4. Keep the labia open and begin urinating into the toilet. While continuing to urinate, bring the cup into the stream and continue to urinate until cup is at least ½ full.
5. Finish voiding into the toilet.
6. Replace lid on cup. Tighten securely.
7. Give the specimen to a technician or place in the designated area.

Pacientes Mujeres - Recollection de Orina

1. Lavese las manos con jabón.
2. Quite la tapa del envase sin tocar el interior.
3. Separe los pliegues de la region genital con sus dedos y limpiese con la toallita. Repitalo con una toallita más.
4. Empiece a orinar en el baso del baño y sin dejar de orinar colecte la urina en el envase llenandolo hasta la mitad.
5. Termine de orinar en el baso del baño.
6. Dé le la muestra a un tecnico o pongalo en un lugar designado.

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Glucose Tolerance Testing

NOTE: Always follow your physician’s collection instructions first - even if they differ from the collection instructions stated by Sonora Quest Laboratories.

Your physician has requested one of the following tests. This is a timed test. You are required to remain at the facility for the duration of the test unless otherwise noted.

One (1) Hour GTT (no fasting specimen required)

1. You will be required to remain at the laboratory for 1 hour.
2. You will be given a glucose solution to drink. Finish the drink within 5 minutes and notify the staff members as soon as you have completed the drink. Timing of the test will begin at this time.
3. Do not eat or drink anything else during this time. A small amount of water is acceptable, but please ask a staff member.
4. You will be called to the phlebotomy room to have your blood drawn in one hour. Please assist the staff by keeping an eye on time. If the time exceeds one hour and you have not been called, please notify a staff member immediately.
5. If you feel dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated, notify a staff member immediately. The staff member will assist you by escorting you to a bed to lay down and may place a cold cloth on your head. If you vomit, the test will be discontinued and your physician will be contacted for further instructions.

One (1) Hour GTT (fasting specimen required)

1. You will be required to remain at the laboratory for 1 hour.
2. If directed by your physician, you should fast (nothing to eat or drink except water) for 10 to 12 hours.
3. Your blood will be drawn for a fasting or first specimen when you arrive at the laboratory.
4. You will be given a glucose solution to drink. Finish the drink within 5 minutes and notify the staff members as soon as you have completed the drink. Timing of the test will begin at this time.
5. Do not eat or drink anything else during this time. A small amount of water is acceptable, but please ask a staff member.
6. You will be called to the phlebotomy room to have your blood drawn in one hour. Please assist the staff by keeping an eye on time. If the time exceeds one hour and you have not been called, please notify a staff member immediately.
7. If you feel dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated, notify a staff member immediately. The staff member will assist you by escorting you to a bed to lay down and may place a cold cloth on your head. If you vomit, the test will be discontinued and your physician will be contacted for further instructions.

Two (2) hour GTT or longer (no 30 minute specimen required)

1. You will be required to remain at the laboratory for two or more hours, depending on the testing requested by your physician.
2. If directed by your physician, you should fast (nothing to eat or drink except water) for 10 to 12 hours.
3. Your blood will be drawn for a fasting or first specimen when you arrive at the laboratory.
4. You will be given a glucose solution to drink. Finish the drink within 5 minutes and notify the staff members as soon as you have completed the drink. Timing of the test will begin at this time.
5. Your blood will be collected one time per hour for two or more hours, depending on the testing requested by your physician.
6. Do not eat or drink anything else during this time. A small amount of water is acceptable, but please ask a staff member.
7. You will be called to the phlebotomy room to have your blood drawn at one-hour intervals. Please assist the staff by keeping an eye on time. If the time exceeds one hour between draws and you have not been called, please notify a staff member immediately.
8. If you feel dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated, notify a staff member immediately. The staff member will assist you by escorting you to a bed to lay down and may place a cold cloth on your head. If you vomit, the test will be discontinued and your physician will be contacted for further instructions.

Two (2) hour GTT or longer (30 minute specimen required)

1. You will be required to remain at the laboratory for two or more hours, depending on the testing requested by your physician.
2. If directed by your physician, you should fast (nothing to eat or drink except water) for 10 to 12 hours.
3. Your blood will be drawn for a fasting or first specimen when you arrive at the laboratory.
4. You will be given a glucose solution to drink. Finish the drink within 5 minutes and notify the staff members as soon as you have completed the drink. Timing of the test will begin at this time.
5. Your blood will be collected 30 minutes after your finish the glucose solution, then again in 30 minutes after that (1 hour from the time of completing the glucose drink). Then your blood will be collected one time per hour for two or more hours, depending on the testing requested by your physician.
6. Do not eat or drink anything else during this time. A small amount of water is acceptable, but please ask a staff member.
7. You will be called to the phlebotomy room to have your blood drawn at one-hour intervals. Please assist the staff by keeping an eye on time. If the time exceeds one hour between draws and you have not been called, please notify a staff member immediately.
8. If you feel dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated, notify a staff member immediately. The staff member will assist you by escorting you to a bed to lay down and may place a cold cloth on your head. If you vomit, the test will be discontinued and your physician will be contacted for further instructions.

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Male Urine Collection - English & Spanish

STANDARD URINE SPECIMEN COLLECTION

1. Wash hands with soap.
2. Open the container WITHOUT TOUCHING THE INSIDE OF THE CUP.
3. Use the towelette to clean the end of the penis. Discard and clean again with the second towellette. If not circumcised, hold foreskin back before cleansing.
4. Begin urinating into the toilet and while continuing to urinate, bring the cup into the stream and continue to urinate until cup is at least ½ full.
5. Finish voiding into the toilet.
6. Replace lid on cup. Tighten securely.
7. Give the specimen to a technician or place in the designated area.

PACIENTES VARONES - RECOLLECTION DE ORINA

1. Lavesé las manos con jabón.
2. Quite la tapa del envase sin tocar el interior.
3. Limpiese la punta del pene con la toallita. Repitalo con una toallita más.
4. Empiece a orinar en el baso del baño y sin dejar de orinar colecte la orina en el envase llenandolo hasta la mitad.
5. Termine de orinar en el baso del baño.
6. Tape el envase de nuevo.
7. Dé le la muestra a un tecnico o pongalo en el lugar designado.

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Salivary Cortisol - English

The accuracy of test results is dependent on the quality of the specimens submitted. Please follow these instructions closely and contact your physician if you have any questions.

• Saliva should be collected at the time specified by your physician.
• Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes prior to collection.
• To avoid contamination of the vial, do not apply creams or lotions that contain steroids or use steroid inhalers immediately prior to collection.
• Avoid any activities that could cause your gums to bleed prior to collection; this includes flossing and brushing your teeth.
• Do not collect the sample if your gums or the inside of your mouth is bleeding. Be sure to contact your physician if this is a chronic problem.

 Collect the specimen as follows:

• Remove the cotton tube from the inside of the plastic container.
• If you feel you have adequate saliva in your mouth, place the cotton tube under your tongue for 1 minute.

If you feel that you are unable to produce saliva at the time of collection, you may chew the cotton tube for 30 to 45 seconds to start a flow of saliva and then place the cotton tube under your tongue for 1 additional minute or until it is saturated with saliva.

If necessary, salivation can be stimulated by using a few granules of sugar-free Kool-aid powder or citric acid crystals and then proceed with collection of saliva by placing the cotton tube under the tongue.

• Remove the cotton tube from beneath the tongue and place in the plastic Salivette collection container and firmly close the stopper. Do not remove the tube that is holding the insert.
• Label the Salivette collection container with your name and the date and time of collection.
• Store at room temperature and transport to any Sonora Quest Laboratories Patient Service Center within one day of collection.

NOTE: If a Salivette collection container is not available, 1 mL (approximately ¼ to ½ teaspoon) of saliva may be collected in a clean, plastic collection tube.

NOTE: Salivette is not intended for use with children under the age of three. Children under the age of ten should have adult supervision.

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Salivary Cortisol - Spanish

Procedimiento para colectar Saliva para Cortisol usando Salivette recipiente

Para que los resultados sean correctos, dependa en la calidad de la muestra colectada.
Por favor sigua las instrucciones y contacte su Doctor si tiene algunas preguntas.

• Saliva debe ser colectada específicamente en la hora que le dio su Doctor.
• No tome o coma 30 minutos antes de colección.
• Para evitar contaminación, no use cremas que contengan steroids o use inhaladores que contengas steroids antes de colectar muestra.
• No haga ninguna actividad que cause que las ensillas de su boca sangren antes de colectar muestra; esto incluye limpiando sus dientes con floss o cepillar sus dientes.
• No coleccione la muestra si sus ensillas o su boca esta sangrando. Procure avisar a su Doctor si este problema es crónico.

Coleccione la muestra como sigue:

• Del recipiente de plástico, quite el tubo de algodón.
• Si piensa que tiene bastante saliva en su boca, ponga el tubo de algodón en su boca, debajo de su lengua por 1 minuto.

Si no puede producir saliva en el tiempo de colección, puede masticar el tubo de algodón por 30 a 45 segundos para producir saliva, luego ponga el tubo de algodón debajo de su lengua por 1 minuto adicional o asta que el tubo de algodón este saturado completamente de saliva.

Si es necesario puede estimular saliva con pocos gránulos de Kool aid sin azúcar, proceda en colectar muestra de saliva poniendo el tubo de algodón bajo su lengua.

• Quite el tubo de algodón de su boca y colóquelo en el recipiente de plástico llamado Salivette, sierre el recipiente. No quite el tubo que detiene el inserto.
• Escriba su nombre completo en el recipiente de plástico Salivette, también incluya fecha y hora de colección.
• Mantenga la muestra en temperatura ambiente y transporte muestra a cualquier Laboratorio de Sonora Quest. Muestra debe ser entregada el mismo día de colección.

NOTA: Si el recipiente Salivette no es disponible, puede colectar 1 mL (aproximadamente ¼ a ½ cucharada) de saliva en un tubo de plástico limpio.

NOTA: Salivette no es intentado para niños menores de 3 anos. Niños menores de 10 anos tienen que tener supervisión adulta.

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Sputum Collection

For successful diagnosis of infection through testing of sputum samples, it is important that the patient understand the importance of collecting an adequate sample. Samples must be produced from a deep cough. If the sample is contaminated with cells from the mouth or saliva, it will be rejected and the patient will be required to recollect the sputum specimen.

Please follow these instructions to help insure that an adequate specimen is collected:

• Brush teeth, gargle, and rinse mouth with water. DO NOT use mouthwash.
• Collect the first morning specimen if possible, since it represents a pool of material that would have collected overnight.
• Cough deeply, or expectorate directly into a sterile screw-top container. Be careful not to touch the inside of the container or the inside of the lid.
• The volume of the specimen need not be large, but must be mucous-like material from a deep cough. The best specimen should be about 2 to 3 mLs or approximately 1/2 teaspoon.
• Saliva is unacceptable and will be rejected by the laboratory. The patient will be required to recollect the specimen if saliva is present.
• Keep the specimen refrigerated and transport to the laboratory as soon as possible, preferably within 30 minutes of collection. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures.

NOTE: For Cystic Fibrosis specimens, a swab may be used to collect the specimen. This should be determined by the provider and would be collected by the physician office.

NOTE: For certain tests, the physician may require collection of more than one specimen, collected on different days. If this is required, each specimen should be delivered to the lab on the day it is collected.

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Stool Collection for C-Diff Culture and/or Toxin, Fecal Leukocyte Exam

Follow physician instructions for collection frequency, usually one or two specimens are collected.

• You should be given a clean, screw top container for the collection of each specimen requested.
• For each collection, pass a small amount of fresh stool into a clean, dry container. Take care not to contaminate the stool with urine or toilet water. If collected in a diaper, line the diaper with plastic prior to avoid absorption.
• Open the container and using a wooden stick, place small scoops of stool into the container. Select areas that appear bloody, slimy or watery.
• Check all containers to be certain they are tightly closed.
• Label each container with your first and last name and the date and time collected. Place the containers into the specimen bag and refrigerate or place on ice until transported to the laboratory.
• Thoroughly wash your hands and discard all supplies in the trash. Excess specimen should be discarded in the toilet.
• Return the containers to the laboratory with any accompanying paperwork as soon as possible.

NOTE: You may also receive additional containers that contain liquid preservative. Collect these specimens following the instructions provided with them. If you are collecting both types of specimens, collect the specimen in the empty cup on the last day and deliver to the laboratory as soon as possible.

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Stool Collection for Fecal Fat Studies

Fecal Fat, Quantitative

• Follow physician instructions for time period of collection – 24, 48, or 72 hours. You should be on a diet including 100 grams of fat per day for three days prior to collection and during collection.
• You will be provided with a one-gallon container or plastic jar with a tight lid. Specimens collected in a metal paint can will be rejected.
• Pass stool into a separate collection container and transfer or collect directly into the container provided. Take care not to contaminate the stool with urine or toilet water. If collected in a diaper, line the diaper with plastic prior to avoid absorption.
• Before submission, check the container to make sure it is tightly closed and label with your first and last name, the date and time collected, and the total collection time – 24, 48, or 72 hours. Place the containers into the specimen bag and refrigerate or place on ice until transported to the laboratory.
• Thoroughly wash your hands and discard all supplies in the trash.
• Return the container to the laboratory with any accompanying paperwork as soon as possible after completion of collection.

Fecal Fat, Qualitative

• You should be given a clean, screw top container for collection. Pass a small amount of fresh stool into a clean, dry container. Take care not to contaminate the stool with urine or toilet water. If collected in a diaper, line the diaper with plastic prior to avoid absorption. Do not ingest castor oil or mineral oil prior to collection.
• Open the container and using a wooden stick, place small scoops of stool into the container.
• Before submission, check the container to make sure it is tightly closed and label with your first and last name and the date and time collected. Place the containers into the specimen bag and refrigerate or place on ice until transported to the laboratory.
• Thoroughly wash your hands and discard all supplies in the trash. Excess specimen should be discarded in the toilet.
• Return the containers to the laboratory with any accompanying paperwork as soon as possible.

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Stool Collection for Lactoferrin

Follow physician instructions for collection frequency. Usually one specimen is collected.

• You should be given a clean, screw top container for the collection of each specimen requested.
• For each collection, pass a small amount of fresh stool into a clean, dry container. Take care not to contaminate the stool with urine or toilet water. If collected in a diaper, line the diaper with plastic prior to avoid absorption.
• Open the container and using a wooden stick, place small scoops of stool into the container. Select areas that appear bloody, slimy or watery.
• Check all containers to be certain they are tightly closed.
• Label each container with your first and last name and the date and time collected. Place the containers into the specimen bag and refrigerate or place on ice until transported to the laboratory.
• Thoroughly wash your hands and discard all supplies in the trash. Excess specimen should be discarded in the toilet.
• Return the containers to the laboratory with any accompanying paperwork as soon as possible. Specimen must be delivered within 48 hours.

NOTE: You may also receive additional containers that contain liquid preservative. Collect these specimens following the instructions provided with them. If you are collecting both types of specimens, collect the specimen in the empty cup on the last day and deliver to the laboratory as soon as possible.

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Stool Collection for Stool Culture and/or Ova & Parasites

• Patients using antacids, anti-diarrheal medication, or laxatives should allow seven (7) days before collecting specimens.
• Follow physician instructions for collection frequency. If none are provided, the laboratory recommends three specimens collected on alternating days, not to exceed 10 days. However, one specimen per 24 hours will be accepted for testing. If more than one specimen is collected per 24-hour period, only one specimen will be tested.
• Your kit should consist of two or three containers containing a liquid. Do not drink the liquid and keep out of reach of small children.
• For each collection, pass a small amount of fresh stool into a clean, dry container. Take care not to contaminate the stool with urine or toilet water. Do not pass the specimen directly into the tubes. If collected in a diaper, line the diaper with plastic prior to avoid absorption.
• Specimen must be transferred to containers within 30 minutes of collection.
• Open the tubes containing the liquid. Using the collection spoon built into the lid, or a wooden stick, place small scoops of stool into the container. Select areas that appear bloody, slimy or watery. Add stool to each container until the volume reaches the red line marked on the container.
• Carefully mix the contents with the spoon, then tightly twist the cap back on the container. Shake the tube vigorously until contents are well mixed.
• Fill each tube in the same way. Check all tubes to be certain they are tightly closed.
• Label each container with your first and last name and the date and time collected. Check the box on the label, which looks most like the specimen collected. Place the containers into the specimen bag and keep at room temperature.
• Thoroughly wash your hands and discard all supplies in the trash. Excess specimen should be discarded in the toilet.
• Return the containers to the laboratory with any accompanying paperwork within 24 hours. Collections done on multiple days should be returned at one time, but ensure that all containers are labeled with the actual collection date and time.

NOTE: You may also receive additional containers that do not contain liquid preservative. Specimens added to these containers should be refrigerated. Please try to deliver unpreserved specimens to the lab within 30 minutes of collection.

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