Stool Sample Best Practices: How to Collect a Clean, Accurate Sample

Master stool sample best practices for clean, accurate results start with preparation and a clear plan. Before you begin, read the kit instructions and confirm you have all components. Step 1: wash your hands and set up a clean, dry workspace. Step 2: use the provided scoop or spoon and avoid touching the interior of the container. Step 3: collect a small amount from the middle of the stool, steering clear of urine and toilet water. Step 4: place the sample into the sterile container up to the indicated fill line and securely close the cap to prevent leakage. Container use and labeling are essential to prevent contamination and ensure traceability. Label the container with patient ID, date, and time of collection, and attach any required barcode or form. Keep the container closed until you’re ready to place it into the transport packaging. If your protocol specifies secondary containment, seal the sample in a biohazard bag with any absorbent material and use a rigid outer container for transport. Maintain recommended storage conditions and ship the sample promptly according to the kit’s instructions to preserve sample integrity. In addition to solid collection technique, the InnerBuddies platform elevates the value of your stool testing with a robust, data-driven backbone. The Gut Health Operating System powers insights like the Gut Microbiome Health Index, a 0–100 score that reflects overall gut health and is backed by an exclusive IP deal with EAFIT University in Colombia. You’ll also see Bacteria Abundances, including a top 40 panel showing how you compare to a healthy cohort, and detailed Bacteria Functions categorized as positive or negative to benchmark functional health. For targeted audiences, Target Group Analysis dives into pathways relevant to groups such as Healthy Aging, Endurance Sport, Power Sport, and Skin & Hair Health, while Personalized nutrition advice ties 3-day food diaries to your unique microbiome profile. See how these insights come together on the InnerBuddies product page: InnerBuddies product page. InnerBuddies makes it easy to extend these capabilities from consumer tests to business collaborations. The white-label Gut Health Operating System lets companies power their own gut microbiome testing products with modular features, including personalized probiotics and prebiotics recommendations tailored to individual microbial profiles. If you’re exploring ongoing access or a partner-enabled approach, the InnerBuddies subscription options and B2B programs are designed to scale with your needs: InnerBuddies subscription page and InnerBuddies B2B partner page. Whether you’re a consumer or a partner, these stool sample best practices and the InnerBuddies platform together help you achieve cleaner, more accurate results and deeper, actionable insights.