Download faecal occult blood.indd

PATIENT
INFORMATION
SHEET
FAECAL OCCULT BLOOD TEST
NO APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY FOR THIS TEST
Your doctor has referred you to have Faecal occult blood test.
This test is useful in detecting whether blood (which may not be visible to the eye) is present in
your faeces.
Do not collect a sample if you have any of the following conditions:
•
Menstrual bleeding
•
Bleeding haemorrhoids
•
Constipation bleeding
•
Urinary bleeding
Medication Guidelines
Alcohol and certain medications such as aspirin, indomethacin, reserpine, phenylbutazone,
corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause gastrointestinal
irritation and bleeding in some patients. Please do not take aspirin for seven days before or during
the test. However, if your doctor has prescribed the use of aspirin or other NSAIDs, please continue
to take them. Do not take more than 250mg of Vitamin C per day for 72 hours before or during the
test.You may continue taking iron supplements unless they contain more than 250mg of Vitamin C
per day.
Please do not stop taking prescribed iron supplements without first consulting with your doctor.
Diet
For this test we recommend that you avoid the following foods for three days prior to the test, and
during the time you are collecting your faecal specimens:
Red and rare meats, turnips, horseradish, melons, broccoli, cauliflower, cantaloupe (rockmelon) and
red radish.
For further information or to make an appointment, please contact your nearest Collection Centre
Updated Collection Centre details may be found:
• on the reverse of your request form
• website: www.capitalpath.com.au
• Front Reception: on 02 6285 9800
DOC ID: FAECESOB.doc
Date: June 2007
Issue No.: 30
PATIENT
INFORMATION
SHEET
FAECAL OCCULT BLOOD
TEST
NO APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY FOR THIS TEST
Instructions
Faeces is to be collected once per day, in separate containers, for three days.
Collection kits are available from your Collection Centre.
1. Label a brown top jar and small tube with your name, DoB and date of collection.
2. Collect a random sample of faeces in a clean dry container (e.g.. an empty ice cream container).
Please urinate first to avoid getting urine in the faeces.
3. Using a plastic spoon or wooden spatula, transfer faeces into the brown top jar until it is half full.
Cap it tightly.
4. Also collect faeces into the small tube. To do this, unscrew the end of this tube and remove the
applicator stick. Be careful not to spill the solution from the tube.
5. Collect the sample by introducing the applicator stick into a few different sites of the faecal
sample.
6. Remove excess specimen from the applicator stick by gently wiping the stick with an absorbent
tissue.
7. Place the applicator stick back into the specimen container and screw the cap tightly. Be careful
not to break the top of the cap.
8. Please discard the ice cream container and tissue and carefully wash your hands.
If other tests such as Culture, OCP, viruses or reducing substances are also requested please keep
the specimen at room temperature and deliver to your nearest Capital Pathology Collection Centre
on the same day as collection.
If other tests are not requested, you may store the specimens wrapped in plastic in your refrigerator
for delivery after all three samples have been collected.
For further information or to make an appointment, please contact your nearest Collection Centre
Updated Collection Centre details may be found:
• on the reverse of your request form
• website: www.capitalpath.com.au
• Front Reception: on 02 6285 9800
DOC ID: FAECESOB.doc
Date: June 2007
Issue No.: 30