Sign in →

Test Code OCC.SCRN OCCULT BLOOD/SCREEN

Important Note

Serial fecal specimens should be collected from bowel movements consecutively over 3 days. If test is to be performed for any reason other than colorectal neoplasm screening, order test OCC.DIAGNOSTIC “Occult Blood Diagnostic, Stool” instead.

Random Stool Collections

  1. Require a specimen source
  2. Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection

Methodology

Color Reaction (Hemoccult® Sensa)


Useful for screening for colorectal neoplasm by detecting bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract.
 

Patient Instructions

Patient Preparation:

 

Patient should observe the following drug and diet guidelines prior to specimen collection:

  1. 7 days before and during stool collection period, avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin (more than 1 adult aspirin a day). Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) can be taken as needed.
  2. 3 days before and during stool collection period, avoid vitamin C in excess of 250 mg/day from supplements, and citrus fruits and juices.
  3. 3 days before and during stool collection period, avoid red meats (beef, lamb, and liver

Specimen Requirements

Submit 1 of the following specimens:
 
Preferred:


Hemoccult® Sensa Card
Container/Tube: Hemoccult® Sensa card
Specimen Volume: Adequate amount of stool from a random collection
Collection Instructions: Follow instructions provided with Hemoccult® Sensa card.

 

Alternate:


Random Stool
Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection.
 
Container/Tube: Tightly-sealing, leakproof sterile container(s), #261

Specimen Volume: Fresh, unpreserved stool from a random collection

Collection Instructions:

  1. Collect fresh, unpreserved stool.
  2. If specimen is collected in a bedpan or collection “hat,” patient should urinate into another container before stool specimen is collected.

Note:

  1. Do not collect specimen from toilet.
  2. Specimen in diaper is not acceptable. Stool material should be scraped into a clean, dry container. Pediatric patients with severe diarrhea may use a U-Bag collection system. Place U-Bag over urethra to prevent urine from contaminating specimen.

 

 

Specimen Rejection

  • Stool >2 hours old
  • Contaminated with water or urine
  • Stool collected from a diaper or toilet

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Reference Values

NEGATIVE


 False-positive results can be caused by:

  1. Red meat (beef, lamb, and liver)
  2. Aspirin (>325 mg/day) and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, and naproxen
  3. Corticosteroids, phenylbutazone, reserpine, anticoagulants, antimetabolites, and cancer chemotherapeutic drugs
  4. Alcohol in excess
  5. The application of antiseptic preparations containing iodine (povidone/iodine mixture)

False-negative results can be caused by:

  1. Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) in excess of 250 mg/day
  2. Excessive amounts of vitamin C-enriched foods, citrus fruits and juices
  3. Iron supplements which contain quantities of vitamin C in excess of 250 mg/day

Performing Laboratory

Logan Health Medical Center Laboratory

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82270

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient