Faecal occult blood testing is NOT available at ADHB for investigating patients with anaemia or upper/lower gastrointestinal symptoms. While quantitative faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is available at LabPlus, it is solely used for testing samples from asymptomatic individuals invited by the New Zealand?s National Bowel cancer Screening Programme. Symptomatic patients should be referred for gastroenterology review as judged clinically appropriate.
In rare circumstances when FIT might be useful, the requestor has to discuss with the on-call chemical pathologist to obtain approval prior to collection of the faecal sample. Clear justification will be required. The on-call chemical Pathologist can be contacted via LabPlus Lablink at 09-3074949 ext 22000 or e-mail at
chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz
. Upon approval, the specimen will be sent to Middlemore Hospital microbiology laboratory. Note that it will be reported in a qualitative manner as "detected" or "undetected".
References
Symptomatic patients should be referred for gastroenterology review as judged clinically appropriate.
Labtests Auckland (LTA) as the community laboratory in Auckland currently offers FIT to patients aged <1year and to asymptomatic adults ?50 years in whom other gastrointestinal pathogens have not been concurrently requested. The test is also offered if the request had been discussed with and approved by a DHB gastroenterologist, DHB/LTA chemical pathologist or microbiologist (information last confirmed on 11/6/2021. However, should visit LTA website for most updated criteria and related details). Otherwise, there are private providers in the community (including LTA) which can offer fee-for-service (patient pay) FIT test.
1. Wong C More on faecal occult blood test misuse Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2014; 28(8): 419-420 (editorial)
2. Narula N Fecal occult blood testing as a diagnostic test in symptomatic patients is not useful: A retrospective chart review Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2014; 28(8): 421-426
3. Friedman A Use and abuse of faecal occult blood tests in an acute hospital inpatient setting Internal Medicine Journal 2010; 40:107-111