How long does a stool test take?

You&#;ll likely get your stool test results back in one to three days. But it could take longer depending on what your provider tests for.

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How will the lab test my sample?

It depends on the type of test. For some stool tests, providers smear the stool onto a testing card. For others, they place the stool on a glass slide and look at it under the microscope. They may also put the stool on a plate that has food for the germs to grow so they can see them. Sometimes the germs can be hard to see, so providers place them in a machine that copies their DNA over and over again.

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What do the results mean?

Stool test results can be positive or negative. A negative result means your poop looks typical, and the lab didn&#;t find any signs of disease like blood or germs. If your stool tests positive for a germ, the test result may also give you the name of the bug.

If the results are positive, what are the next steps?

If your stool tests positive, the pathologist will tell your healthcare provider what kinds of germs or pathogens they found. They&#;ll also tell your provider if there are other signs of infection, like an abnormal amount of blood or fat in your stool. This information will help your provider find the cause of your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment.

If your results suggest a cancerous growth, your provider will refer you to an oncologist for further testing and treatment.

Stool Specimen Collection

Please Follow Instructions Carefully

The quality of your specimen is critical to the accuracy of your test results.

For more information, please visit Plastic Chair.

Questions?

Contact the lab at 252-808-

Preparation

If you had a barium swallow, you must delay collection until the barium has passed from your system. If possible, avoid the following within 48 hours before stool collection: Pepto Bismol, Maalox, mineral oil, antacids (Rolaids, Tums), Kaopectate.

Number To Collect

Collect one specimen per day unless otherwise instructed.

How To Collect The Specimen(s)

1. Avoiding contact with urine, pass stool directly into the stool cup OR pass stool into a large clean container (such as a cut out milk jug) OR onto a newspaper placed under the seat of the toilet. Transfer entire specimen into the stool cup using the tongue depressor provided or other handy implement (such as a plastic spoon). If your stools are loose, pass directly into a container, not onto newspaper.
2. Label the stool cup with your full name, date and time of collection.
3. Submit the specimen to the lab within two hours of collection.

If you cannot transport the specimen to the lab within two hours, follow specimen handling requirements marked below:

• Clostridium DifficileRefrigerate specimen and submit within 24 hours.
• Culture For PathogensPlace specimen into transport media by adding stool to the vial until the fluid rises to the red line. Replace the cap and mix gently. Label the container with your name, date and time of collection. If the specimen is bloody, indicate this by writing the word "bloody" on the label. Leave the vial at room temp and submit within 24 hrs.
• Stool For WBCNo transport media is available to preserve WBC's, submission of specimen within 24 hrs is very important.
• Ova & ParasitesPlace specimen into both vials of the transport media by adding stool to each until the fluid level rises to the black arrow. Replace the caps and mix gently. Label each container with your name, date and time of collection, and mark the appropriate block for the specimen appearance. Leave the vials at room temp and submit within 24 hrs.
• Occult Blood***Refrigerate and submit within 24 hrs. See separate list of dietary substances that may interfere with this test.

Occult Blood Testing on Stool Specimens

Please bring your physician order with the specimens and register in the Carteret General Outpatient Registration Department, if you have not already done so. Drop off specimen at the Lab Department or at the OP Center (7:30am to 3:00pm) near Patient Registration.

Number To Collect

Collect one per day unless otherwise instructed. Do only one test per bowel movement.

How To Collect The Specimen(s)

1. Avoiding contact with urine, pass stool directly into a large clean container (such as a cut out milk jug) OR onto a newspaper placed under the seat of the toilet. If your stools are loose, pass directly into a container, not onto newspaper.
2. Using the stick provided, scoop a small amount of stool and rub on the white circle inside the test card.
3. Label the test card with your full name, date and time of collection of the specimen.
4. Return the test card(s) with the test orders as soon as conveniently possible and at least within 48 hours of collection.

Patient Preparation

If you had a BARIUM SWALLOW, you MUST DELAY collection until the barium has passed from your system.
If possible, avoid the following foods, derivatives, and supplements for 72 hours before specimen collection

False negative test results may be caused by:

• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• Antacids (e.g. Pepto Bismol, Maalox, mineral oil, Rolaids, Tums, Kaopectate)

False positive test results may be caused by:

• Red meat
• Peroxidase-rich vegetables and fruits (turnips, horseradish, artichokes, mushrooms, radishes, broccoli, bean sprouts, cauliflower, apples, oranges, bananas, cantaloupes, grapes)
• Alcohol and aspirin (especially if taken together)
• Therapeutic iron
• Other gastric irritants (steroids, rauwolfia derivatives, all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine)