MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH 
WILLIAM A. HINTON STATE LABORATORY INSTITUTE
ENTERIC BACTERIOLOGY LABORATORY
305 SOUTH STREET, JAMAICA PLAIN, MA 02130

Instructions Submitting Stool Specimens for Bacteriology Testing

Specimen Types:
•	Stool.  Try to include bloody, slimy or watery parts of the stool
•	Rectal swabs are not recommended for testing because the sample size is usually inadequate.  If swabbing is the only option, insert the swab past the sphincter muscle to obtain a representative fecal specimen.  

Container for Specimen:  Enteric Bacteriology Kit
•	Para-Pak® C&S collection/transport vial with pink colored liquid
•	Submission Form SS-SLI-1-08, secondary container, and outer canister with yellow colored label

To order Enteric Kits, call (617) 983-6640.  Please return expired kits for proper recycling and/or disposal. 

Specimen Collection Instructions:
Collect specimens as soon as possible after onset of illness either before antibiotic therapy begins or 48 hours after antibiotic therapy has been terminated

1.	Check the color of the liquid in the Para-Pak® C&S collection transport vial as well as the expiration date.
Do not use vial if it has expired, or if the solution has turned a yellow color or has become 	cloudy.

2.	Add sample to the Para-Pak® C&S collection transport vial.  Do not overfill.
a.	Use spoon attached to the screw cap of the sample collection vial to transfer a small amount of solid stool (approximately the size of a dime) into the sample vial.
 
b.	If the stool is watery, transfer enough to raise the level of the pink colored liquid close to the red line.  The red line is marked with the words “Add specimen to this line”.

c.	If submitting a rectal swab, insert the head of the swab into the vial and snap off the shaft.

3.	Tighten the cap and gently agitate the vial to ensure that the specimen is well mixed. 

4.	Label the collection vial with the patient’s first and last name.  Note:  Unlabeled collection transport vials will not be tested.

5.	Place the sample collection vial into the secondary container (metal) and secure the screw cap. 

6.	Ensure the Specimen Submission Form SS-SLI-1-08 is completed.  Note:  Form must have the patient’s name, collection date of the sample, address, birth date, gender, and submitter information.

7.	Wrap the completed Specimen Submission Form around the outside of the secondary (metal) container

8.	Place the secondary (metal) container in the outer cardboard shipping container and secure the screw cap.

Requisition to Use:  State Laboratory Institute Specimen Submission Form SS-SLI-1-08.  To print additional submission forms visit our website www.mass.gov/dph/bls

Storage Conditions/Shipping Instructions:  
Mail or deliver specimen kits as soon as possible to the Enteric Bacteriology Laboratory.  Specimens must be received by the laboratory within five days of specimen collection.  Use the yellow-colored shipping label to send kits to:

Enteric Bacteriology Laboratory, 
William A. Hinton State Laboratory Institute
305 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Questions:  Contact the Enteric Bacteriology Laboratory at (617) 983-6609