Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Stool

Container/Tube: Hemoccult card

Specimen Volume: A smear of stool

Collection Instructions:

1. Patient should be placed on a Special Diagnostics Diet at least 72 hours prior to and during testing period. Diet may include:
A. Meats—only small amounts of well-cooked chicken, tuna, and turkey.
B. Vegetables—generous amounts of both raw and cooked vegetables including carrots, celery, corn, lettuce, and spinach.
C. Fruits—plenty of fruits, especially apples and prunes.
D. Cereals—bran and bran-containing cereals.

2. Foods and medications to be avoided:
A. Meat—diet should not include any red or rare meat for 3 days prior to testing.
B. Avoid raw fruits or vegetables containing high peroxidase activity such as broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, horseradish, parsnips, and red radishes.
C. For 7 days prior to and during testing, do not ingest aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines.
D. For 2 days prior to and during testing, do not use rectal medicines.
E. For 3 days prior to and during testing, do not ingest any vitamin preparations which contain vitamin C (ascorbic acid).

Additional Information: Label card with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth and/or Social Security number, date and time of collection, and source of specimen.