RRPL Compendium of Tests
Stool (SAF): Instruct patient to defecate into a clean bowl. Collect stool without contaminating with urine. Immediately add stool (a grape sized amount of solid specimen or to fill line if a liquid specimen) to SAF preservative and mix thoroughly using spoon provided. Screw lid on tightly. Record collection date and time on each specimen and requisition.
Microbiology Doc 1400-55 RRPL 001R V11
NOTE: Relevant history is required for an Ova and Parasite Exam. The Microbiology requisition lists the following as relevant: ∙Travel/immigration outside Canada or U.S. within the last 2 years (state when and where) ∙immunosuppressed ∙suspected helminth infection (other than Enterobius vermicularis) ∙eosinophilia ∙age <13 years ∙symptoms >2 weeks ∙unsafe food/water ∙prior parasite ∙case contact ∙other (must provide reason) NB: Diarrhea is NOT adequate history for performing an O&P examination. NOTE: If relevant clinical history is NOT provided, a Giardia/Cryptosporidium screen will be done instead of the O&P test. NOTE: All specimens submitted to RRPL that meet the requirements for the O&P examination will be tested for Cryptosporidium. NOTE: Stool specimens collected in SAF preservative may be refrigerated at (2 - 8°C) or stored at room temperature (20 - 25°C) NOTE: Submit a series of three stool specimens. Collect stools at 2 - 3 day intervals. Submit one stool per collection date, do NOT pool the specimens. If multiple stools with the same collection date are submitted, only one will be tested. NOTE: Wait 7 days before collecting stool specimen if the patient has received antibiotics, mineral oil, bismuth, kaolin, barium swallows or enemas. NOTE: Tests for intestinal parasites should NOT be requested for IN patients who have been hospitalized for longer than 3 days. NOTE: Microsporidia test requests will be referred out and will take 10 working days for the results.
Negative or Positive
Negative: 2 - 14 days Positive: 2 - 14 days
