Faecal Occult Blood Method Change
In light of the recent change to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (item 66764) to allow testing by one method and in consultation with local gastroenterologists, it has been decided to discontinue routine testing by the chemical method, continuing with the more sensitive and specific immunological method (which is unaffected by dietary factors). Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) Specimen Collection
Faeces will now be collected into a dedicated occult blood buffer tube which extends the stability of the sample (for up to 4 days) allowing the patient to present the series of collected samples (typically taken over 3 consecutive days) to the laboratory at one time. The new FOB Patient Collection Kits include collection instructions and buffer tubes. Requirements for other Faecal Testing
Requests for:
- Faecal Culture/microscopy
- Reducing substances
- Helicobacter antigen
- Clostridium difficile
- Viral antigen (Rotavirus, Adenovirus, Norovirus)
still require a faeces sample in a brown top container to be submitted to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection. In order to ensure clinically appropriate laboratory investigations are undertaken, it is important that relevant clinical history be provided on the request form (e.g. overseas travel, suspected food poisoning).