Specimen Requirements

Stool
Sterile container or Hemoccult card. Occult blood cards can be obtained from the lab and taken home with the patient for collection of samples

Patient should not receive vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for 3 days prior to occult blood testing.  A high bulk, red meat free diet with restriction of peroxidase-rich vegetables (yellow turnips, horseradish, apples, oranges, bananas) has been recommended for 72 hours prior to testing and during testing to decrease the incidence of false-positives.  Alcohol, aspirin and other gastric irritants should also be avoided 7 days prior.

Follow directions on Hemoccult slides provided by laboratory.

 
Follow special dietary directions as recommended by physician.  It is recommended to sample areas from 3 stool samples collected on 3 successive days.