Page 233 - Vessel Sanitation Program 2018 Operations Manual

VSP 2018 Operations Manual

4. Place sheets of plastic wrap over the toilet bowl, leaving a
slight dip in the center.
5. Put the toilet seat down.
6. Pass some stool onto the plastic wrap. Do not let urine or
water touch the stool specimen, if possible.
7. Using the spoon given to you, place bloody, slimy, or
whitish areas of the stool into the container first. Fill the
cup at least 2/3 full, if possible.
8. Tighten the cap.
9. Wash your hands.
10. Label the specimen jar with your name, the date, and your
cabin number.

13.4.5.2.2 Medical Staff Instructions
Specimen Labeling
Please ensure that each specimen is properly labeled with the
following:
• Date of collection.
• Unique identifying number. (A separate log containing
unique identifying number linked to case name must be
kept on the ship.)
• Notation on use of antidiarrheal or antibiotic medication.

Collection, Storage, and Transport
Complete guidelines for collection and storage of specimens for
viral, bacterial, and parasite analysis are listed below, although it
may not be necessary to implement all procedures during each
investigation. Transport of specimens will be arranged in
collaboration with VSP.

13.4.5.3 Guidelines for Collecting Fecal Specimens for Viral Diagnosis
(Modified from MMWR, 1990; 39[RR-5];19.)

13.4.5.3.1 Stool for Viral Diagnosis
1. Collect stool specimens in the first 48 hours. Specimen
collection should not await the results of epidemiologic and
other investigations because delay will almost certainly
preclude a viral diagnosis. If information gathered
subsequently indicates that a viral etiology is unlikely, the
specimens can be discarded.

2. Collect 10 diarrhea bulk specimens, if possible. Bulk
specimens, enough to fill a large stool cup, are preferred.
Serial specimens from persons with acute, frequent, high-
volume diarrhea are particularly useful. The smaller the
specimen and the more formed the stool, the lower the

Annex 13.4: Acute Gastroenteritis Outbreak Investigation; 180