Your doctor has requested a sample of faeces to be sent to the laboratory for examination. Please use the brown top plastic container with scoop spoon that you have been supplied. A faecal sample about the size of a 20 cent piece (or one scoop) is required. Please use the following instructions to make your collection.
Adults: The sample may be collected initially into a large, clean, plastic container, and the scoop spoon used to transfer the required amount into the smaller brown top container. A sample contaminated with urine or menstrual blood is not suitable.
Children: A sample from a child may be collected by placing a square of cling wrap in the child’s nappy or potty. Specimens collected in nappy liners and those containing urine are not suitable.
Multiple samples: If multiple samples are collected they must be collected on separate days and:
- Only 1 faeces specimen for culture will be accepted within any 7 day period
- Only 2 faeces specimens for microscopy/parasite testing will be accepted within any 7 day period.
Splitting a single sample is not acceptable.
It is essential that this sample is returned to the clinic without delay. If a delay is unavoidable the sample can be stored for a short time, please telephone the collection centre or your nearest TML Pathology laboratory for directions. Please have your request form on hand when you phone for easy reference of the type of testing that is listed.
Please Note: This is NOT the protocol for collecting 3 Day Faecal Fat samples. For 3 Day Faecal Fat test, all faeces passed over the 3 days of collection must be collected into a special container provided by the collection centre.
