Occult Blood in Fecal Matter

1) Sterile, wide-mouth container with an airtight lid

2) Obtain a dry container to collect the feces (flat dish, basin, etc.), washed with soap and water.

3) Obtain a disposable plastic spoon, either new or disinfected, to transfer fecal matter to the jar.

Diet and preparation before taking the sample: For 3 days prior to sample collection: Do not eat red meat or poultry, cold cuts, beets, horseradish, turnips, squash, carrots, or leafy vegetables. You may eat fish, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, legumes, pasta, rice, dairy products, cheese, eggs, and fruits such as bananas, apples, and peeled pears. You may drink water, soft drinks, and herbal teas.

48 hours before the procedure, you should not consume alcohol or aspirin. Replace brushing your gums with an antiseptic mouthwash.

The sample should not be collected during menstruation, if you have bleeding hemorrhoids, blood in your urine, or if you have been given medication rectally.

Instructions for obtaining samples:On the fourth day, continuing with the diet, collect fecal matter from any spontaneous bowel movement in the disinfected and dry container (not in the toilet), avoiding contamination with urine. Immediately collect the equivalent ofone teaspoon in the sterile container (this is what you will deliver to the laboratory).

Important considerations: Deliver the sample to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection and keep it refrigerated (in the refrigerator) until delivery. Take the sample to the laboratory Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.