Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation:

Patient should be placed on a meat-free, high-residue diet starting two days before and continuing during the test period.

1. Patient should not consume:

A. Rare and lightly cooked meats (particularly beef).

B. Cauliflower, turnip, or broccoli unless well cooked.

C. Horseradish, radishes, cantaloupe, or beets.

D. Iron-rich supplements.

E. Aspirin and other medications which may cause gastro-intestinal irritation.

F. Excessive amounts of alcoholic drinks.

G. Vitamin C in excess of 250 mg/day may cause a false-negative test.

2. Patient may consume:

A. Generous amounts of cooked and uncooked vegetables such as lettuce, corn, and spinach

B. Moderate amounts of high-fiber foods such as bran cereal, peanuts, and popcorn

C. Plenty of fruits such as plums, apples, and grapes

D. Well-cooked pork, poultry, and fish

3. Interfering substances:  aspirin, indomethacin, phelylbutazone, corticosteroids, and reserpine can cause gastrointestinal irritation in some patients. These substances should be discontinued 2 days prior to and during testing.

It is recommended that stool specimens be collected on three consecutive days.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Hemoccult Card Patient Collection:

1. Using a ball-point pen, write the patient's name, date of birth, and date and time of sample collection on the front side of card.

2. Using the applicator provided, collect a small fecal sample.

3. Apply a thin smear covering box A.

4. Reuse the applicator to obtain a second sample from a different part of the same stool sample. Apply to box B.

5. Close the cover flap. Dispose of applicator in waste container.

6. Cards must be developed within 14 days of collection.

Stool:

1. Submit 5 g of stool in a stool collection cup.

2. Label cup with patient’s name, date of birth, and date of collection.

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note: It is recommended that stool specimens be collected on 3 consecutive days.