Fecal Occult Blood, Guaiac Diagnostic
Label Mnemonic: GUAIAC
Epic code: LAB9427
Downtime form: A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery
Chemistry
6240 RCP
356-3527
Specimen(s):
Fecal
Collection Medium:
and
Slides Hemoccult - Hospital Stores #923285 HemaPrompt FG - Hospital Stores #199569
Minimum:
Hemoccult or HemaPrompt FG card with specimen applied.

Using an applicator stick provided in test kit, scoop a small amount of stool. Apply a thin smear of stool to the middle of the first window, leaving an outer periphery of white guaiac paper. Using the other end of the stick obtain a second sample from a different section of stool and apply, as described, to the second window. Close the cover, avoid placing pressure over the specimen areas, and send to the laboratory.
Rejection Criteria:
The laboratory will only accept the Hemoccult or the HemaPrompt FG card with the specimen applied. Stool specimens will not be accepted and will be returned to the sending area.

Test cards that are already performed.
Testing Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Turn Around Time:
20 minutes
Reference Range:
Negative
Comments:
This test order is intended only for where there are signs and/or symptoms exhibited by the patient and not for screening in asymptomatic patients. If this is intended for colorectal cancer screening and not for active signs/symptoms, then OCCULT BLOOD, FECAL HEMOGLOBIN BY IMMUNOASSAY, SCREENING (QUIDEL IFOB OR FIT) [LAB9266] should be ordered. Testing should not be performed with actively bleeding hemorrhoids or during menstruation. It is strongly recommended not to use stool specimens obtained during visit by digital rectal examination because of low sensitivity for detection of colorectal cancers or precursor lesions. Immunochemical methods, (Quidel), are predominantly sensitive to lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding, particularly for screening for colorectal cancer lesions. Guaiac-based cards (HemaPrompt FG) are preferred for detection of upper GI bleeding (e.g., workup of patient with apparent active GI bleeding).

This test is also performed in the Iowa River Landing (IRL) clinical laboratory.
Methodology:
Guaiac
CPT Code:
82272