TDH staff asked health care providers from the University Student Health Center, the Hospital A emergency room, and the emergency departments at six other hospitals located in the general vicinity to report cases of vomiting or diarrhea seen since March 5. A TDH staff person was designated to help the facilities identify and report cases. The health care providers were also asked to collect stool specimens from any new cases. Bacterial cultures from patients seen in the emergency rooms were to be performed at the hospital at which they were collected and confirmed at the TDH Laboratory.
Specimens collected by the Student Health Center were to be cultured at the TDH Laboratory.
What information should be provided with each stool specimen submitted to the laboratory? How will the information be used?