Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 12 hours of collection.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Collect specimen from hospitalized patients meeting the following criteria:

1. Patients known to be infected with VRE.

2. Newly admitted patients with a history of previous VRE infection.

3. Patients admitted from a tertiary care or a chronic care facility where VRE is know to be present.

4. Patients in Intensive Care Unit and Oncology for 5 or more days are screened periodically.

Stool Specimen

1. Submit stool specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container. (Improperly labeled specimen, specimen in non-sterile or leaky container, specimen collected in diaper, or specimen received ≥12 hours of collection is not acceptable.)

2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of collection, type of specimen, and collector’s initials.

3. Refrigerate specimen immediately after collection, and send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note: Specimen source is required.

Swab Specimen

1. Collect rectal swab specimen using a culture transport swab. (Improperly labeled specimen or specimen received ≥12 hours of collection is not acceptable.)

2. Return swab to culture transport tube, and crush ampule to ensure specimen preservation.

3. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of collection, type of specimen, and collector’s initials.

4. Refrigerate specimen immediately after collection, and send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note: Specimen source is required.