Appendix 3: referral of faecal samples

Updated 28 November 2024

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Please use the following method to collect the sample and send it to the laboratory.

Labelling the faecal pot and completing the form

Put your details on the clear plastic faecal pot label brown or blue lid (see Figure 1).

Please ensure you put:

your first name and surname
date of birth
date you produced the sample
NHS number or unique identifier

Figure 1. Faecal sample

Next, place the rigid white transport container close to the toilet pan where you can easily reach it. The container should be placed vertically with the lid off (see Figure 2).

Figure 2: Rigid white transport container

Next, fill out the laboratory request form.

It is vital that the following details on the form match exactly the details on the faecal pot:

your first name and surname
date of birth
date you produced the sample
NHS number or unique identifier

Any differences will mean the sample will not be processed.

You do not have to complete the outbreak reference number unless you are given this by the Environmental Health Officer.

You are now ready to provide the faecal sample.

Providing the faecal sample

For a child in nappies

Simply use the spoon in the lid of the specimen tube to take a sample from the nappy and place the spoon with sample in the faecal pot. Then go to Step 4.

For all other cases

Step 1: Use a toilet that has been rinsed with hot water (not so hot that you risk cracking the pan).

Step 2: Place several pieces of toilet paper on top of the water at the bottom of the toilet.

Step 3: After going to the toilet on the paper, use the spoon provided in the lid of the pot to put one spoonful into the pot.

Note:

one good spoonful is sufficient – do not overfill the bottle
if samples are being collected from different members of the family, wash the toilet pan between each one with hot water – this will prevent each sample being contaminated by the others
do not allow the sample to come into contact with toilet cleaners, bleach or toilet blocks and so on

Step 4: Screw the top of the specimen pot on tightly. Place the pot into the rigid white transport container with the small pad of absorbent material (SUPASORB) wrapped around the pot and screw the top of the transport container on tightly (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Placing pot into rigid white transport container

Step 5: All waste materials should be flushed down the toilet or placed in a plastic bag which is sealed before disposal in the refuse bin. Wash your hands thoroughly – preferably using an anti-bacterial handwash if available.

Step 6: Place the transport container in the cardboard box.

Appendix 3: referral of faecal samples