Stool Culture Sample

A stool culture is a test that can be used to identify infections caused by bacteria or other microorganisms that might be affecting the digestive system.

A stool culture can act as one of the first steps to understand problems you may be having with your digestion.

A stool culture sample is a non-invasive test and quickly resulted.

We will be unable to understand and further diagnose and test bowl illnesses.

There is no alternative to a faecal calprotectin test to easily check for gut bacteria.

You will be given a sample container in a plastic sealable bag as seen below.  

A stool pot can be collected at various clinics in the outpatient department Monday to Friday 10:00–1600.  

This is on the 1st floor of University College Hospital (235 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BU).  

Please ask the main reception which clinic you should collect the pot from on the day.

We want to involve you in all the decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to go ahead with the test, we must ask for your consent to process the test results and inform you of the outcome. If you are unsure about any aspect of your test, please do not hesitate to speak with a senior member of staff again.

Step 1 – Preparing the tube/container

• Remove the container from the plastic bag, making sure to not write anything on the container label.

  

Step 2 – Catching the stool (poo) sample

• It is important that the bowel motion you collect your stool sample from has not been in the toilet water, as this may affect the result. Suggested ways to catch the poo sample are:  
  • Folded pieces of toilet paper in the toilet pan  
  • A clean disposable container in the toilet pan

• Unscrew the lid of the container and using the spoon collect a small poo sample using the scoop attached to the lid (2cm – size of a small walnut, size of the orange tissue paper seen below).

  

Step 3 – Closing and sealing the tube/container

• Transfer the spoon with poo sample back into the container and screw the lid tightly.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and dispose of any dirty equipment safely. Do not write anything on the container.
• Place the container into the plastic bag and seal.

• Wash your hands.

  

• On returning to the hospital, go to the outpatient clinic, located on Floor One in the Podium. Ask staff to print out a label for the test that has been requested, giving your name and hospital number. You will be printed a barcode sticker, attach this to the tube your sample is in.

  

• Remove the tube from the plastic bag and apply the sticker to the sample container as seen below, making sure that there is no other writing on the sample container.

  

• Re-insert the sample container in the plastic bag with the sticker, and hand in the sample. You can then drop this pot with sample off in the sluice room (near clinic G) between 10:00-16:00. Please ensure the label is stuck on the sample pot, if this is not done it will not be processed.