C Diff (Clostridium difficile), Fecal WBC, Rotavirus

• Obtain specimen collection cup from the Outpatient office in the FHD Laboratory.  Read any included instructions prior to collecting specimen.
• Use specimen collection cup, or any clean, dry container, to collect stool sample before contact with toilet bowl water.
• Return specimen collection cup to lab within 24 hours of collection.

Occult Blood (Stool)

• Obtain the Hemoccult card(s) and instructions from the Outpatient office in the FHD Laboratory.  Review drug and diet guidelines prior to collecting specimen.
• Use any clean, dry container to collect stool sample before contact with toilet bowl water.
• Write your name, address, collection date, and doctor’s name on the Hemoccult card.  Open the same side of the card and use the enclosed wooden applicator to smear a small amount of stool specimen inside Box A on the card, then use the applicator to smear a small amount from a different part of the stool inside Box B.
• Close card cover and return card(s) to lab within 14 days of your first specimen collection (preferably within two days of your last collection). 

O & P (Ova and Parasites)

• Obtain Para-Pak set from the Outpatient office in the FHD Laboratory.  Read instructions included prior to collecting specimen.
• Use specimen collection cup, or any clean, dry container, to collect stool sample before contact with toilet bowl water.
• Write your name and collection date on each vial in the Para-Pak set.  Unscrew the top of the white vial and use the attached scoop to transfer specimen up to the line on the vial, then do the same with the other two vials.
• Return set of vials to lab within 24 hours of collection.
• It is also acceptable to bring stool in a specimen collection cup, or any clean, dry container, directly to the lab, provided it is brought to the lab within one hour of collection, from 6:30 am – 6:00 pm, M-F.

Sputum

• Obtain specimen cup from the Outpatient office in the FHD Laboratory.  Label cup with your name, address, and collection date.
• Expectorate a first morning specimen into cup.  Specimen should consist of phlegm, and as little spit or saliva as possible.
• Return specimen cup to lab within 24 hours of collection.

 Urinalysis (UA)

• Obtain specimen collection cup from the Outpatient office in the FHD Laboratory.  Read any included instructions prior to collecting specimen.
• Use specimen collection cup, or any clean, dry container, to collect urine sample before contact with toilet bowl water.
• Return specimen collection cup to lab within 24 hours of collection.  Refrigerate if specimen is not returned within one hour.