C.Diff (see Clostridium Difficile Toxin Test)
Test Name |
Clostridium difficile toxin test |
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Alternate Name(s) |
C.diff |
Laboratory Module |
Microbiology |
Ordering Mnemonic |
CDT |
Specimen Type |
Feaces |
Collection Container |
Sterile Container |
Container Information |
|
Collection Information |
Have patient passed unformed stool directly into a clean, dry container. Send a minimum of 2 mL.
|
Test Schedule |
C. difficile test is performed daily. Positive: the patient has C.difficile. Do not repeat tests to look for cure in C.difficile. The patient's response is the best marker of cure. samples submitted with 14 days from a positive will be rejected. Negative: the patient is very unlikely to have C.difficile, only a single test is required. If negative, then a repeat should not be performed within the next 7 days. Indeterminate- there may be interfering substances in the stool. A single repeat submission will be accepted for testing. If indeterminate again, then the clinician must decide on the likelihood of C.difficile infection and whether to treat. |
Routine Turnaround Time |
Final: 12 hours (specimen received in the lab between 07:00hrs - 18:00hrs on weekdays and 07:00hrs - 15:00hrs on weekend and STAT holidays) 24 hours (specimen received in the lab between 18:01hrs - 07:00hrs on weekdays and 15:01hrs - 07:00hrs on weekends and STAT holidays) |
Stat Turnaround Time | Final: 4 hours |
Reference Interval | (Information Unavailable) |
Critical Values |
If a C.difficile toxin is performed and a positive sample is detected, this information is made available to the health care provider immediately. |
Lab Process Notes |
All stool samples must be mixed thoroughly, regardless of consistency to ensure that a representative sample is processed during testing. Note: Children may carry C.difficile asymptomatically. Presence of this organism or its toxin may not be diagnostic of infection. |
Storage and Transport |
Specimen should be transported as soon as possible to the laboratory. Specimens are maintained in the refrigerator prior to testing no longer than 24hours. |
Test Referred To |
In house, BGH laboratory |