COLLECTION OF STOOL SPECIMEN

REQUIREMENTS #

1. A trolley containing the following:
   1. Top shelf
      • Stool specimen container and a spatula
      • Laboratory form
      • Disposable gloves
      • Soap in dish
      • Bowl
      • Clean towel
   2. Bottom shelf
      • Clean bedpan with a lid
      • Tissue paper/wipes
      • Jug of water
      • Receptacle
      • Mackintosh and dressing towel

STEPS #

1. Confirm physician/doctor’s request against the specimen form with patient’s name and date (manual or electronic)
2. Establish rapport with patient (Refer to steps)
3. Explain the procedure (Refer to steps)
4. Ask the patient to tell you when he/she feels the urge to have a bowel movement
5. Perform hand hygiene
6. Prepare and take trolley to bedside
7. Label the container with the date, patient’s name, department identification and physician/doctor’s name
8. Protect the bed with mackintosh and a dressing towel
9. Offer bedpan to patient
10. Allow the patient to pass feces
11. Wear disposable gloves
12. Remove the bedpan
13. Assist the patient to clean and dispose tissue into a receptacle
14. Examine the faeces noting the colour, odour and consistency
15. Use the spatula to transfer a portion of the feces into the specimen container and dispose off spatula
16. Cover the container
17. Remove and discard gloves
18. Perform hand hygiene
19. Dispose off used items, decontaminate trolley and bedpan
20. Send specimen to the laboratory immediately
21. Document the procedure in the nurses’ notes (manual or electronic)