Test Code OCCB Occult Blood in Feces Guaiac method

Specimen Type

Feces (stool specimen) collected on Hemoccult card

If Hemoccult cards are not available, the stool specimen can be submitted in a plastic urine container.

Container/Tube

Sterile container

STAT Days and Times Performed

Not Available

Days and Times Performed

24/7

Method Name

Guaiac Method

UCMC Collection Instructions

Patient given diet guidelines which include no red meat for 3 days prior to test and with restriction to oxidase rich vegetables (turnips, horseradish, artichokes, mushrooms, radishes, bean sprouts, cauliflower, oranges, apples, bananas, cantaloupes, grapes). Alcohol and aspirin especially together along with other gastric irritants should be avoided.

Test Limitations

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) may cause false negative results.

Additional Information

Some oral medications (e.g. aspirin, indomethacin,
phenylbutazone, corticosteroids, reserpine, etc.) can cause G.
I.
irritation and occult bleeding in some patients.
The Occult Blood Feces, Guaiac method (Hemoccult Sensa) is used
for
suspected upper GI bleeding. The Occult Blood Feces,
Immunochemical
method?�(Hemoccult ICT) may fail to
detect upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding, producing a
negative
result. Therefore the Occult Blood, Feces Guaiac Method
(Hemoccult
Sensa) is used for suspected upper GI bleeding and Hemoccult
ICT is used for
suspected lower GI
bleeding.

Fee Code

53461

Synonyms

Hemoccult

CPT

82270

Reference Values

Negative for Blood

Specimen and Container/Tube

Feces (stool specimen), Timed

Transport Instructions

3 consecutive daily specimens or samples from different
portions
of single stool specimen smeared on Hemoccult slides; patient
given
diet guidelines which include no red meat for 3 days prior to
test
and with restriction to oxidase rich vegetables (turnips,
horseradish, artichokes, mushrooms, radishes, bean sprouts,
cauliflower, oranges, apples, bananas, cantaloupes, grapes).
Alcohol and aspirin especially together along with other
gastric
irritants should be avoided.
If Hemoccult cards are not available, the stool specimen can be
submitted in a plastic urine container.

Methodology