1. Hemoccult and Gastroccult Testing Review
June 20, 2011
By Holly A. White, MLS(ASCP)CM, MSHS
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Department of Pathology

2. Hemoccult Reagents and Supplies
Beckman Coulter Kit Includes:
Hemoccult test slides
Hemoccult applicators
Hemoccult developer
Also needed:
Calibrated Timer

3. Hemoccult Procedure Affix label to specimen card
Place specimen in Box A
Place specimen from different
area in Box B
Close flap
Set timer for 3-5 minutes
Open back flap
Add two drops of developer on each test area – wait 60 seconds
Blue color on the edges in Positive result
Record results on paper and in computer

4. Negative and Positive Results
POSITIVE TEST The developer turns the stool specimen blue - this is an abnormal result and means that blood is present in that stool specimen.     NEGATIVE TEST If the stool specimen does not turn blue, then no hidden blood is present. This is a normal result.

5. Quality Control of Hemoccult
Place one drop of developer between pos and neg circles
Set timer for 10 sec.
Record results
DO NOT record results prior to testing
DO NOT compare results of test to patient test results

6. Gastroccult Reagents and Supplies
Beckman Coulter kit includes:
Gastroccult test slides
Gastroccult applicators
Gastroccult developer
A plastic storage pouch to protect slides and developer from light and heat
Also needed:
Calibrated timer

7. Gastroccult Testing
Place one drop of specimen in Ph testing area, and one
drop in the gastro
testing area
Set timer for 30 sec.
Read PH at 30 seconds
If sample is already
In the pH testing area
pH cannot be
completed.
Ph needs to be
read at 30 seconds

8. Gastroccult Testing 2 drops of developer in Gastro testing area
Test timer for 60 seconds
Blue edge is positive
QC same as with
Hemoccult

9. Quality Control of Gastroccult
Place one drop of developer between pos and neg circles
Set timer for 10 sec.
Record results
DO NOT record results prior to testing
DO NOT compare results of test to patient test results

10. Comments Interferences
-Hemoccult- incompletely cooked meat, some raw vegetables may cause false positive
-Gastroccult- some red meat, raw vegetables may cause false positive
QC must be done and recorded after completion of test
No + and -, must be written pos or neg
Always set a calibrated timer

11. More Comments and Suggestions
Blue is a positive result
Green is a negative result
Blue/Green is a positive result
Any hint of blue color is a positive result
When in doubt, if you can, test it again.
If the background of a card is already blue prior to the dropping of developer, do not use the card. It may have been exposed to heat or liquids. Open a new card, preferably a new lot number, and start the test over. Inform your lead tech. Cancel the test if necessary.