Tag: Stool sample

According to the Cleveland Clinic, most constipation cases are linked to diet and lifestyle factors, highlighting the crucial role food plays in producing a healthy stool. This means that preparing for a stool sample requires careful consideration of what you eat and drink in the days leading up to the test to ensure an accurate and usable specimen.

According to laboratory guidelines, contaminated samples are often rejected for testing, leading to delays in diagnosis. This is why many wonder, "Can toilet paper ruin a stool sample?" The short answer is yes, as foreign materials can compromise analysis by introducing chemicals and masking microorganisms.

An estimated 61.9% of laboratory errors occur in the pre-analytical phase, with improper patient preparation being a significant factor. Understanding how will you prepare a patient for specimen collection is critical, especially regarding nutrition and diet, to avoid skewed lab results and ensure an accurate diagnosis.