SPECIMEN COLLECTION: Fixatives

1. When selecting a single vial stool fixative, what questions should be asked?

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using 5% versus 10% formalin?

3. What is the difference between buffered and nonbuffered formalin?

4. What are the pros and cons of using stool fixatives?

5. What is PVA?

6. When would fresh stool specimens be required for testing?

7. Tips and Pitfalls!