Fecal Occult Blood Test
Test Mnemonic
IFOBT
CPT Codes
- 82274 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
29771-3
Aliases
- Colon Cancer Screen
Performing Laboratory
Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unspecified | Stool | Other | Ambient | The only acceptable specimen is stool inoculated into a Polymedco sample collection vial. Bulk stool (stool not contained in a Polymedco collection vial) will be rejected. Record date and time of collection on the test vial. Patients should be instructed to place the inoculated test vial into the preaddressed mailer along with a copy of the order and mail to microbiology. |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | Inoculated collection vials are stable for up to 15 days |
| Refrigerated | Inoculated collection vials are stable up to 30 days at 4 degrees Centigrade |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |
Days Performed
Mon - Fri
Turnaround Time
4 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Immunoassay (IA) |
Reference Range
Special Info
Acceptable specimens include formed or semiformed stool. No dietary or pharmaceutical restrictions are necessary. Other specimens (such as gastric aspirates and other body fluids) are unacceptable. Conditions which may interfere with test results include bleeding due to hemorrhoids, constipation, urinary or menstrual sources. Avoid contamination of the sample with toilet water. Stool must be inoculated into the collection vial prior to sending to the lab for testing. Bulk stool will not be accepted due to the instability of blood in bulk stool. To inoculate the collection vial, remove the GREEN cap from the vial and scrape the fecal sample with the attached sample probe. Cover the grooved portion of the sample probe completely with stool. Return the green cap to the sample vial, tighten cap and mix well. Place a barcoded label onto the outside of the sample vial. The label needs to be placed so that the barcode is visible on the flat side of the sample vial. The label needs to be centered and aligned as straight as possible. DO NOT COVER THE FOIL EDGE OR GREEN CAP OF THE TUBE. Submit to microbiology for testing.
Clinical Info
This IFOBT replaces the Hemoccult triple card and is designed for detection of colon cancer in the lower GI. The IFOBT is designed to detect hemoglobin in stool as low as 100 ng/mL so that only a single sample is recommended for testing. This test does not detect blood in the upper GI. To test for upper or lower GI occult blood, please order the OBDX and inoculate a single Hemoccult or Hemaprompt card. Use of Hemaprompt test cards is limited to authorized users only who have received the appropriate credentialing from the POCT office.