Why is it important that the stool specimen should be properly collected?
It is a foundational principle for any laboratory test procedure that the value of the test is compromised or even negated by using specimens that have not been properly collected, labelled, handled or stored prior to and during the testing process. Show Microbiological tests are not as standardized as some other lab tests; the way in which a sample is processed and the results are interpreted depends heavily on the information provided with the specimen. Erroneous results as a result of specimen mis-management can affect patient care and outcomes, as well as hospital infection control, patients’ length of stay in the hospital, costs and laboratory efficiency. Pre-Collection GuidelinesThe initial collection of samples for microbiology testing is critical, since errors that occur at this stage cannot be corrected at a later time, and since mistakes require collection of new specimens.
Tenets of Specimen ManagementIt is important to be knowledgeable of caveats that are relevant to specific specimens and diagnostic protocols for infectious disease diagnosis. However, there are some strategic tenets of specimen management and testing in microbiology that stand as community standards of care and that set microbiology apart from other laboratory departments such as chemistry or hematology. Ten points of importance are:
The microbiology laboratory policy manual should be available at all times for all medical staff to review or consult. It would be particularly helpful to encourage the nursing staff to review the specimen collection and management portion of the manual. This can facilitate collaboration between the laboratory, with the microbiology expertise, and the specimen collection personnel, who may know little about microbiology or what the laboratory needs in order to establish or confirm a diagnosis. Most infectious disease protocols have based their strategies on the management of results generated by microbiology laboratories. Getting the right diagnosis is contingent upon laboratory results that are accurate and clinically relevant. Why are stool specimens collected and examined?The most common reason to test stool is to determine whether a type of bacteria or parasite may be infecting the intestines. Many microscopic organisms living in the intestines are necessary for normal digestion.
When collecting a stool specimen which is correct?If the stool is formed, the specimen should be taken from the middle of the stool. Make sure to take a sample from areas with blood, mucus, or any areas that seem more watery. If the stool is hard, take a sample from the middle and the two ends of the stool.
What is the objective of preserving stool specimens?Fecal specimen preservation is particularly important due to the universal use of stool for the non-invasive diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections.
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