What label information should be included on a stool sample?

When labeling a stool sample, it's essential to include patient identification and the date and time of collection. This information is crucial for accurately matching the sample with the patient’s medical records and ensuring proper handling and processing of the specimen. The patient identification helps prevent mix-ups between samples, which can lead to erroneous test results and potentially serious implications for patient care. The date and time of collection are equally important, as they provide context for interpreting results, such as assessing the freshness of the sample and relating it to the patient's symptoms or medical timeline.

While other pieces of information, like the physician's name or the purpose of the test, may be useful, they do not take precedence over proper patient identification and the date/time of collection, which are fundamental to maintaining sample integrity and ensuring accurate test outcomes.