Stool sample

Obtaining feces for culture

Collection of feces for microbiological study.

Objective:

– To obtain a stool sample in sufficient quantity and quality to allow its microbiological study.

Equipment:

– Wedge. – Feces trough.

Material:

– Non-sterile gloves. – Identification label. – Spatula or depressor. – Swab. – Sterile container. – Necessary material to perform the hygiene. – Nursing records.

Procedure:

– Perform hand washing. – Prepare the material. – Preserve the patient’s privacy. – Inform the patient of the procedure. – Ask the patient and family to cooperate. – Put on disposable gloves. – If the patient is autonomous, instruct him/her to perform genital hygiene and to deposit a stool sample in the sterile container after defecation.

If the patient is bedridden:

1. Place the patient on the wedge. 2. Ask the patient to urinate before collecting the sample. 3. Clean and disinfect the wedge. 4. Replace the wedge on the patient. 5. Collect stool from the wedge with the depressor, select the areas containing mucus, exudates and blood. Necessary quantity of 1g. 6. Perform genital hygiene. – Leave the patient in a comfortable position. – Remove the material. – Identify bottle and send to the laboratory with the request. – Remove gloves. – Wash hands. – Record in the nursing documentation: procedure, date and time, incidences and patient’s response.

Remarks:

– Send immediately to the laboratory, if there is going to be a delay, keep in the refrigerator at 4ºC for no more than 2 hours. – The sample must be from a recent stool.