Component Task: Collection of Stool Specimen

Collection of stool specimen is the process of obtaining a sample of a patient’s faecal matter for diagnostic purposes. A specimen of freshly passed faecal matter is collected into a small container with a small spoon or spatula without contamination.

Aims

·         Diagnostic purpose

·         Examine for stool characteristics such as color, consistency, foreign bodies and odor

Requirements

A trolley containing the following:

a.      Top shelf

·         Stool specimen container and a spatula

·         Laboratory form

·         Disposable gloves

·         Soap in dish

·         Bowl

·         Clean towel

b.      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)


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