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Test Code OBS Occult Blood Colon Cancer Screen

Clinical Indications

Useful for the detection of fecal occult blood, which may be indicative of gastrointestinal disease

Additional Test Codes

Epic Order Code: Occult Blood Colon Cancer Screen
Sunquest Order Code: OBS
Px Order Code: LAB4049

Specimen Collection Type

Inoculated Hemoccult test card or raw feces in a sterile container

Bristol stool types 1-7

Minimum Collection Volume

Pea size

Reference Range

Negative

Critical Value

N/A

Interpretation

A positive result indicates the detection of heme and is consistent with the presence of blood in the sample.

A negative result does not exclude the possibility of blood in stool.

Results obtained with this test are for preliminary screening only and are not intended to replace diagnostic procedures. Bowel lesions may not bleed at all or may bleed intermittently. Blood, if present, may not be distributed uniformly in the fecal specimen, resulting in false negatives. Interfering substances in the diet (e.g., red meat, alcohol, citrus) or in medications (e.g., NSAIDs, vitamin C supplements) may cause false negatives or false positives.

Rejection Criteria

Stool in preservative

Stool contaminated with urine

Specimen Availability for Add-on Testing

4 hours

Specimen Stability

Inoculated cards are stable for 14 days at room temperature

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Performing Lab- Department

TUKHS-BH-Microbiology

CPT Code

82270

LOINC Code

2335-8

Test Alias

HEMOCCULT TAKE HOME TEST

Additional Information / Notes

For colorectal cancer screening, three serial fecal samples are recommended. Patient instructions must be closely followed.

See FITS test for outpatient testing