Occult Blood in Stool                 MCL Procedure for Waived Applications
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Patient Specimen Collection Instructions:

Testing:

• Smear: Using applicator stick provided – collect a small amount of stool and make a very thin smear in Box A.
• Using the same applicator, collect another small amount of stool from a different part of the specimen and apply a very thin smear inside of Box B.
• Allow the smears to air dry, and then close the cover.
• The test may be stored for a maximum of 12 days.
• Develop: Open perforated window on the back of the slides and apply two (2) drops of occult Developer to the back sides of Boxes A and B.
• Timing: Read after 30 seconds and within 2 minutes.
• Interpretation: Any trace of blue color either on or at the edge of the smear is positive.

Internal Control Monitor:

• After running patient, add 1 drop of developer to each internal control pad and read after 30 seconds and within 2 minutes.
• Confirm that the “+” pad reads positive (blue color) and the “-“pad reads negative (no color).

Record the results:

• If internal controls pass record in patient’s chart.

· Write your name, the date, time and the patient’s results in the patient’s chart.

· Write “QC Passed “next to the patient’s results in the medical record.

Internal Quality Control Failure:

• Failure of either internal control invalidates the patient’s results.
• Blue color does not develop on “+” pad
• Blue color present on “-“ pad
• Record the failure and corrective action in the patient’s medical record.
• Corrective Action:
• Repeat patient with new card and new developer using the same lot numbers.
• If internal control fails again, obtain new lot numbers for the card and developer.
• If the test fails again, contact the Microbiology Lab (903-4146).