Stool sample collection – Hystool® Information.

Hystool® is a stool sample collector for the collection of stool (faecal) samples in medical tests such as the FIT based bowel cancer screening test, for crohn’s, colitis or any other test requiring the collection of a faecal stool sample. Our stool sample collection device is a Scottish invention made from PVA. Unlike paper-based alternatives Hystool® is biodegradable, environmentally friendly, will dissolve completely within minutes, and is safe to flush away. This collection kit provides an easy to use simple and hygienic way to complete an unpleasant but necessary procedure and comes with simple instructions on how to take a stool test at home.

Hystool® is a registered trade mark and all rights are reserved. Hystool® bags are medically approved as non invasive devices for the collection of stool samples. They are designated as Class I medical devices and CE-marked in accordance with Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 rule 4 for non-invasive devices.

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1. Hystool Bags

Hystool® bags are made from a water-soluble synthetic polymer which has high tensile strength and flexibility. The material is non toxic and biodegradeable. The bags are considered to be eco-friendly and will dissolve quickly when they come into contact with water. The final degradative products are carbon dioxide and water.

Our Hystool® bags dissolve in cold water so that they can be safely flushed down a toilet. Hystool® bags will dissolve quickly without causing any blockages whilst being safe for the environment. Unlike many other flushaway products the Hystool® stool sample collector bags dissolve 100%.

Look at the glasses. On the left we placed a piece from a paper based stool collection device which claims to be “flushable”. It has been in this glass of water for two weeks. On the right we placed a piece from a Hystool bag. It has been in the glass of water for thirty minutes. The Hystool bag has totally dissolved and the paper device has not.

2. Water Soluble Stickers.

The Water Soluble Stickers that we use are made from repulpable paper. They are biodegradable and require no toxic chemicals to be removed, they are environmentally friendly too. Like our Hystool® bags our stickers are safe to flush down a toilet after use. Four stickers come pre-attached to each bag.

To apply the stickers simply peel off the backing paper and use them to stick the Hystool® bag to the toilet seat or toilet rim. In the unlikely event that they leave a sticky residue after removal simply wipe it away using a damp cloth.

3. Hystool® Stool sample Kits - Dimensions

Hystool® home stool sample collection kit comes in one or two bag versions. Instructions are printed on the containing bag. (More detailed instructions are available on our website). The containing bag measures 21cm x 13cm so that it easily fits inside a standard envelope. Each bag weighs approximately 10g.

The two bag kit was designed with the Faecal Immonochemical Test (FIT) in mind. This bowel cancer screening test requires only one stool sample. We have included two Hystool® bags in our home test kit. This provides a spare bag in the unlikely event of there being a problem in using the first bag.

fit stool sample collection kit - INFORMATION

Our two bag stool sample collection kit was intended for use by members of the public who receive the NHS bowel cancer screening test. This NHS screening kit is sent to people but does not include any means of collecting a stool sample. The Hystool bag easily fits inside the NHS envelope that is sent out. If the NHS were to include Hystool® as part of their screening test it would make collecting a stool sample simpler, more hygienic and as a result would encourage more people to carry out the NHS bowel cancer screening test.
(If you agree then please feel free to let the NHS or your local MP/MSP know.)

For clinics sending out testing kits then a single bag accompanied by written usage instructions will normally suffice. Please contact us should you require individual bags for this purpose.
Reduced prices are available for larger orders.
Larger packs suitable for hospital / clinic use are available on request. Please contact us for more information.

4. Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

The Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is becoming a standard method used for early detection of colorectal cancer. FIT is used for the NHS bowel cancer home testing kit. It was first introduced in Scotland and is now being rolled out across Britain. Like the old bowel cancer screening test, FIT looks for hidden blood in stool samples, which can be an early sign of bowel cancer. Unlike the old test kit, which required three samples, FIT only needs one stool sample.

Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK (2018 - 2019) , said: "The Faecal Immunochemical Test has been proven to be more accurate and easier for people to complete than the current test".

Initial results in Scotland show a promising increase in the number of people completing the test although the percentage increase is difficult to gauge as the new test also included better instructions.

The Faecal Immunochemical Test does not come with any means of collecting a stool. The recommendation is that you put layers of toilet paper into the bottom of a toilet (in the optimistic hope that the paper will stop the stool falling into the toilet water and not block the toilet), or use a container like an old ice cream tub, which you place by hand inside the toilet bowl ... and retrieve it again when finished.

Neither of these solutions is ideal. Including Hystool® as part of the colorectal cancer screening kit would make stool collection much simpler and hygienic. If it were included then more people would do the test and this would lead to more detections and reduced healthcare costs.

5. Procedure for collecting a stool sample at home

How do I collect a stool (faeces) sample? This is the quandary that many patients face when required to provide a stool sample at their own home.

The official guidance from the NHS (Great Britain) for this procedure gives the "helpful" advice of.

place something in the toilet to catch the stool, such as a potty or an empty plastic food container, or spread clean newspaper or plastic wrap over the rim of the toilet.
make sure the sample doesn't touch the inside of the toilet.
put anything you used to collect the sample in a plastic bag, tie it up and put it the bin.

Or as a much simpler and more hygienic alternative we suggest you use the biodegradable, hygienic Hystool® stool collection device.

Attach the collection bag to the toilet seat (no need to reach inside the bowl)
The sample can't touch the inside of the toilet as it is contained in a bag
No need to remove anything from the toilet .. or put in your bin. Simply flush it away.

Hystool® easily fits inside the stool collection kit.

Simple Usage Instructions