Preferred Sample Type
Suitable Specimen Types
- Faeces
at least 500ul or a pea-sized sample
Turnaround Time
3 daysSample Stability
Stored for 2 monthsViral Gastroenteritis screen
General Information
The following tests are performed: Patients <5 ->60 years - Adenovirus and Rotavirus by a rapid method. Patients >5 <60 with additional symptoms to D&V - Adenovirus and Enterovirus PCR. Immunocompromised patients will be tested for all of the above. Please indicate if immunocompromised. For outbreaks see entry for Norovirus
Patient Preparation
Instructions for patient self-collection of faeces sample:PATIENT SELF COLLECTED STOOL
Instructions for faeces sample collection in hospital:
- Ask patient to defaecate into a clinically clean bedpan or receiver.
- If the patient has been incontinent: a sample may be obtained from bedlinen or pads: try to avoid contamination with urine.
- Using the integrated ‘spoon’ in the sample pot lid, scoop enough faecal material to fill a third of the specimen container (or 10–15 mL of liquid stool).
- Apply specimen container lid securely.
- Label sample and complete microbiology request form (including relevant information such as onset and duration of diarrhoea, fever or recent foreign travel).
- Dispatch sample to the laboratory as soon as possible or refrigerate at 4–8°C and dispatch within 12 hours.
Specifications
- EQA Scheme?: Yes
- EQA Status: QCMD