| Test Name: | Stool Culture |
| Epic Order Code: | LAB223 | | |
| CPT Code: | 87045, 87046 |
| Specimen(s) Type: | Feces |
| Acceptable Container(s): | Sterile container with lid; swab |
| Testing Schedule: | 24 hours/day, 7 days/week |
| Turn Around Time: | STAT: NA |
| Routine: 3 days |
| Collection Information: | Refer to Microbiology Collection Information by Source. Swabs for routine pathogens are not recommended except for infants and patients with active diarrhea. |
| Transport Information: | Deliver to lab immediately at room temperature. All specimens must be signed into the laboratory. |
| Reference Client: | If unable to deliver to lab immediately, place in culture transport media and store at 2-8° C. Specimen must be received in lab within 24 hours. |
| Causes for Rejection: | Improperly labeled, incorrect container, contaminated, insufficient quantity, improper/delay in transport, more than 1 specimen submitted per day. |
| Reference Range: | No pathogens isolated. |
| Additional Information: | A single negative stool culture may not be adequate to completely rule out bacterial infection, especially in light of persistent symptoms. Sometimes up to 3 specimens may be needed, but prior consultation with the physician is necessary in these cases to explain why this is necessary. When more than 1 culture is ordered, they should not be collected on the same day. Specimens from inpatients after the third hospital day, whose admitting diagnosis was not gastroenteritis, should not be submitted without prior consultation with the laboratory, due to the possibility of hospital colonization or antibiotic usage. If these patients are over 6 months of age and have clinically significant diarrhea, PCR or toxin tests for Clostridium difficile should be considered for these patients. Susceptibilities are performed only on significant isolates. |
| If Yersinia is suspected, this should be ordered as Stool Screen for Yersinia with additional specimen. |
| If Vibrio is suspected, this should be ordered as Stool Screen for Vibrio with additional specimen. |
| The physician or floor will be notified if a Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli 0157, shiga toxin positive E.coli or Campylobacter is isolated. |
| Immunoassay tests for Shiga toxins 1 and 2 and Campylobacter will also be performed if adequate specimen is received.. |