Stool Collection Guidelines

Your child’s poop (stool) must be tested so we can plan the treatment for them. You will collect a sample of their poop at home, then bring it to a Nationwide Children's Hospital Laboratory Service Center.

You Will Need 

• The right container(s) for the test(s) ordered. Not all tests use the same containers. 
• A tongue depressor or plastic spoon
• For an older child, a toilet hat or plastic wrap
• A label to put on the container
• Disposable exam gloves (optional)

Labeling

You may be given an EPIC registration label to put on the container(s). If not, label the sample as follows:

• Before collecting the sample:
  • Child’s full legal first and last names, correctly spelled
  • One of the following unique identifiers:
    • Date of Birth or
    • Patient’s ID or
    • Nationwide Children's Hospital medical record number
• After collecting the sample:
  • Date of sample collection (MM/DD/YYYY) 
  • Time of sample collection (include a.m. or p.m.)

Collecting

• Collect the sample even if your child has loose, runny poops or diarrhea. 
• Wash your hands before and after handling your child's poop. Poop can contain germs that spread infection. You may use disposable exam gloves.
• For the test to be accurate:
  • There should be no creams or ointments on your child's bottom. However, if your child has diaper rash, it is okay to use cornstarch, petroleum jelly (Vaseline®), or Resinol®. These products will not affect the test.
  • The poop must not mix with pee (urine).
  • Do not collect poop from the toilet.

Infants

Take the poop out of the diaper. If the poop is loose or runny, put the plastic side of the diaper next to the skin. Leave the diaper on long enough to collect enough poop. 

Toddlers

If your toddler is toilet trained, you can use a clean, dry training potty, training pants, or a diaper to collect some poop. 

Older Children

• Use a clean, dry toilet hat to collect poop. Place the toilet hat on the back rim of the toilet bowl, just under the toilet seat.
• If using plastic wrap, loosely lay a long section of it over the whole rim of the toilet bowl so poop can fall onto the plastic. 

Preparing

Before you put stool into the specimen container, see pages 4 and 5 to know the exact amount, timing, and other special instructions for the type of test.

1. Check the label, Make sure it has your child's full legal name and date of birth, patient ID number, or medical record number. Then, write the date and time of the collection. The sample will not be tested if their name and at least one other patient identifier are not on the label. 
2. Use a tongue depressor or a plastic spoon to place the right amount of poop into the sample container for the test ordered.
3. Secure the lid on the container(s), then place them in a resealable bag.
4. Throw the tongue depressor or plastic spoon away.
5. Bring the stool sample to a Laboratory Service Center as soon as possible. If you cannot bring it right away, some samples may need to be refrigerated or frozen.

If you are collecting specimens for more than one child:

• Wash your hands before getting poop from each child.
• Make sure the label on each container is filled out completely.
• Put each child's sample in a separate, resealable bag.

Drop-off Options

• During the day, drop the specimen off at:
  • Any Laboratory Service Center or Nationwide Children's Close To Home™ Center.
  • Nationwide Children's Orange Laboratory located at 555 S. 18th Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205.
• In the evening:
  • Nationwide Children's Hospital Admitting Department on main campus.
• Please do not drop off stool specimens at the Emergency Department.
• For hours, locations, or questions, please call Laboratory Services at (800) 934-6575 or visit NationwideChildrens.org/Lab.

Stool Collection Chart 

Stool Collection Guidelines (PDF), Brazilian Portuguese (PDF), Somali (PDF), Spanish (PDF)

---

^{Helping Hands™ Patient Education Materials}

^{Helping Hands™ are easy-to-read guides about different illnesses, therapies, surgeries, and more. They’re created by the Patient Education team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and are reviewed and approved by clinical staff, like nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and psychologists. Nationwide Children's Hospital is not responsible for misuse of information in patient education materials, including Helping Hands™.}

^{HH-III-141 • ©2016, revised 2024 • Nationwide Children's Hospital}

---