Customer FAQ
Customer FAQ
Propper Manufacturing knows that fecal occult blood testing is a sensitive subject for most patients. Seracult® and Seracult® Plus were designed to be performed where the patient feels the most comfortable in doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics, laboratories, or in the comfort of a patient’s home. Below are frequently asked questions patients commonly ask before undergoing occult blood testing.
Occult Blood Testing FAQ
Q: What is the sensitivity level of Seracult®?
A: Sensitivity for Seracult® is 0.38 mg of hemoglobin per 100ml of water.
Q: What is the sensitivity level of Seracult® Plus?
A: Sensitivity for Seracult® Plus is 0.32 mg of hemoglobin per 100 ml of water.
Q: What is the difference between Seracult® and Seracult® Plus?
A: Seracult® Plus is a more sensitive test than Seracult® and is intended for patients deemed at an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Q: Who should be tested for Colorectal Cancer?
A: The American Cancer Society recommends annual colorectal cancer screening for persons 45 and older. Clinicians may also use this test to detect occult blood due to other gastrointestinal bleeding.
Q: Who should be tested with Seracult® Plus?
A: Any person that has higher risk factors due to medical or family history.
Q: Is Seracult® and Seracult® Plus CLIA waved?
A: Yes, both tests are CLIA waived.
Q: What CPT codes can be used?
- Screening CPT: 82270 Blood, occult, by peroxidase activity (e.g., guaiac), qualitative; feces, consecutive collected specimens with single determination, for colorectal neoplasm screening [i.e., the patient was provided three cards or single triple card for consecutive collection]
- Diagnostic CPT: 82272 Blood, occult, by peroxidase activity (e.g., guaiac), qualitative, feces, 1-3 simultaneous determinations, performed for other than colorectal neoplasm screening.
Q: How long can the sample remain on the collection card before test development?
A: The sample is stable for 28 days under normal conditions.
Q: Can different lot numbers of developers and slides be used together?
A: Yes, as long as the expiration dates are valid and you are not combining Seracult and Seracult Plus products.
Q: Is the collection tissue septic safe?
A: Yes, the collection tissue is septic-safe.
Q: To which address do I send the test when all samples have been applied?
A: The test should be mailed or brought back to the doctor’s office, screening program, or hospital where you obtained the test. Propper does not process test samples.
Q: What storage conditions are required for the developer?
A: The developer should be stored in a dark place, away from heat and light.
Q: How is a positive result interpreted?
A: Any indication of a blue color in the test area, assuming you have a positive blue color in the control line. If using a triple slide, a blue color in any test area is a positive result.
Q: If the patient applies the sample to the reverse side of the slide, is the test still valid?
A: No, the patient must be retested.
Q: Does Seracult® or Seracult® Plus contain latex or DEHP?
A: No, our Seracult® products are both latex-free & DEHP-free.
Q: Does Propper consult patients on test results?
A: No. Propper’s scientists cannot consult patients due to HIPAA regulations.
Q: Are there any advantages of guaiac FOBT testing over immunoassay FOBT (iFOBT or FIT) tests?
- Guaiac testing has been in practice for over three decades and has many clinical trials to substantiate its claims.
- Most iFOBT tests use buffers to dissolve samples. Typically, a reaction starts after adding the sample to the buffer, and sensitivity decreases, especially at room temperature.
- Delivery delays & temperature fluctuations can result in false negatives.
- iFOBT is less sensitive to bleeding in the upper GI tract.
Q: Any advantages of using Seracult® and Seracult® Plus over competitors?
- Seracult® and Seracult® Plus has a more visible and intense blue color as a positive indicator.
- Seracult® has a patented enhanced formula for higher sensitivity. Only one other competitor (Beckman-Coulter) offers a more sensitive test.
- Seracult® and Seracult® Plus samples are mailed in a USPS-approved envelope.
Q: Do healthy people lose blood from the gastrointestinal tract?
A: Yes, the average normal blood loss ranges from .5 ml to 1.5 ml per day. Seracult® and Seracult® Plus sensitivities are above that cut-off level, minimizing false positives.
If you want to learn more about how to use Seracult and Seracult Plus, please watch this video, which breaks down the task into easy-to-follow steps.