Occult Blood Stool

Test Code

OBS

CPT Codes
82272

Preferred Specimen

Stool submitted on occult blood card

Minimum Volume

Enough stool to make thin smears on both occult blood card windows

Other Acceptable Specimens

Fresh stool

Transport Container

Urine Cup

Transport Temperature

Room Temperature

Specimen Stability

Stool Inocculated on Occult Blood Card: 14 days at Room Temp; Fresh stool: 24 Hours Refrigerated

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Specimens on occult blood cards that have been refrigeratred or frozen

Methodology
Hemoccult guiac cards

Reference Range

Negative

Clinical Significance

A positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) indicates invisible blood in the stool, signaling gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding from conditions like colorectal cancer, polyps, ulcers, or hemorrhoids. It is a critical, noninvasive screening tool used to detect early-stage cancers, requiring follow-up diagnostic procedures such as a colonoscopy to confirm the source.

Performed By
RFGH Laboratory

Performing Laboratory
RFGH Laboratory

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.