FAQs

Conventional Guaiac-based tests that are used for the detection of fecal occult blood do not provide a high degree of accuracy. Guaiac-based tests are highly affected by a patient's diet, due to the fact that the assay is testing for the presence of peroxidase activity. However, apart from human hemoglobin, other substances have similar peroxidase activity, such as meat, certain vegetables, fruit and certain drugs (i.e. vitamin C). Patients must abstain from consuming any of these items for three days prior to taking the Guaiac test. Also, three samples from three separate bowel movements must be obtained.

OC FIT-CHEK® tests are immunological based, specifically designed to test for the presence of human hemoglobin in feces. This will increase sensitivity and specificity while decreasing false positives and false negatives. There is no need for patients to adhere to any dietary restrictions. The sampling procedure is user friendly, requiring virtually no fecal handling and only one sample versus the three required for Guaiac-based tests. Patient compliance will increase based on the added convenience.

OC-L FIT-CHEK is a manual test designed for a lower volume user, while OC-Auto FIT-CHEK is an automated fecal occult blood analyzer designed for a larger volume user that can run up to 10 samples per rack with results available in eight minutes.

Both the OC-L and OC-Auto tests are immunological tests intended to detect the presence of hemoglobin in feces. The OC-L is a manual point-of-care assay that utilizes a dipstick upon which the chemical reaction takes place and a result can be determined. The OC-Auto is an automated instrument that can perform up to 10 samples per rack with an eight-minute turnaround time.

There are no dietary restrictions with the test(s). It is not necessary to avoid meats, vegetables, or vitamin C before sample collection.

OC-L should be stored at 2-30° C (35.6-86° F). OC-Auto test reagents should be stored at 2-8 ° C (35.6-46.4° F) and sample containers/test devices may be stored at 2-30° C (35.6-86° F).

Once the sample has been added to the sampling container, the OC-Auto sample is stable for 15 days, while the OC-L sample is stable for 15 days at an ambient temperature and up to 30 days at 2-8° C (35.6-46.4° F).

The only approved sample type for both the OC-L and the OC-Auto tests is human stool.

The appearance of two lines, one in the test region and one in the control region, indicates a positive result. A single line in the control region indicates a negative result. If no line appears in the control region, even in the presence of a test line, this indicates an invalid result.

If no line appears in the procedural control region, even in the presence of a test line, the test is invalid and must be repeated with a new dipstick.

The OC-Auto is an automated analyzer with the capability of printing out qualitative results or sending the results directly to your Laboratory Information System (LIS).

The OC-L and OC-Auto tests should not be taken if the patient has any actively bleeding hemorrhoids, but can be taken after the bleeding ceases.

The OC-L and OC-Auto tests should not be taken if the patient is menstruating, but can be taken after the bleeding ceases.