Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the stability of a patient sample once it has been applied to the test card?
Answer: Fecal Sample: 5 days from date of application when stored properly at room temperature 15 – 30° C. Gastric Sample: 24 hours from date of application when stored properly at room temperature 15 – 30° C. All inoculated slides should be stored away from heat, light and volatile chemicals.
2. If a fecal or gastric sample has been collected in a container, what is the pre-application sample stability?
Answer: Fecal Sample: Blood in bulk stool is unstable. Once the fecal sample is collected, the sample should be applied to the test card immediately. Gastric Sample: 10 days at 5° C.
3. Can I use expired HemaPrompt FG test cards?
Answer: NO
4. Do HemaPrompt and HemaPrompt FG test cards have an internal negative control?
Answer: YES. The background area surrounding the Positive Control functions as a negative control. The background color should remain white (unchanged) after developer is added.
5. Do the Internal Performance Controls need to give acceptable results with each patient test in order for the result to be valid?
Answer: YES. The Internal Controls should give the following acceptable results after the developer has been applied to the test card: Positive control should appear as a blue plus sign (+) at the far right side of the card Negative control is the background area behind the blue plus sign (+): the color should remain white (unchanged).
6. If the Internal Positive Control appears as a pink/reddish plus sign (+) after the developer tab is pulled, is this a valid test?
Answer: NO. If the plus sign (+) is pink/reddish after the developer tab has been pulled, this indicates that either the developer pad was dry (no developer solution was applied to the sample) or the test was performed incorrectly. Do not accept patient results- repeat the test with a new card.
7. Why is it that when comparing positive gastric occult results on HemaPrompt FG and popular competitor’s brand, it might take longer for the blue color to appear on the HemaPrompt FG Card?
Answer: The guaiac paper used in HemaPrompt FG cards is coated on two sides, whereas the competitor’s product is coated on one side, which allows for more rapid absorption. The end result is the same for both test methods.
8. How is it possible to test low pH gastric samples on HemaPrompt FG test cards without compromising results?
Answer: A buffer is incorporated into the guaiac paper that adjusts the pH of the gastric sample, so that the test can proceed uncompromised and quality results are obtained.
9. Is it necessary to have a pH result with the test card in order to perform gastric occult blood testing?
Answer: NO. A pH result is not necessary when performing gastric occult blood testing with HemaPrompt FG. Due to the buffered guaiac paper of the test card, results will not be affected by low pH samples.
10. What is the sensitivity of HemaPrompt FG?
Answer: HemaPrompt FG has a sensitivity of 2mg of hemoglobin/gram of stool or 100 ug hemoglobin/ml of gastric sample.
11. What is the normal amount of hemoglobin found in stools of healthy adults?
Answer: 1 mg hemoglobin/gram of stool is considered a normal amount for healthy adults.
12. How should HemaPrompt Quality Control (QC) be documented?
Answer: Follow your own laboratory or regulatory agency’s guidelines.
13. How much does the HemaPrompt FG cost?
Answer: The Sales and Marketing department can quote you a price.
14. What is the difference between HemaPrompt FG and any competitor’s brand?
Answer: The methodology is the same for both products; however, HemaPrompt FG is suitable for testing on fecal and gastric specimens. HemaPrompt also has a built-in developer with each test card.
15. I read/heard that it is a good idea to rehydrate sampled HemaPrompt sensitivity, is this correct?
Answer: We do not recommend rehydrating sampled HemaPrompt. Rehydrating may increase sensitivity, however, you will also decrease specificity.
16. Do I need to wait 2-5 minutes after sample application before developing a HemaPrompt FG test?
Answer: NO – there is no wait time required after applying the specimen to the test card.
17. What CPT code should I use?
Answer: 82270 for all fecal occult blood testing and 82271 for gastric occult blood testing.
18. What is the reimbursement?
Answer: National cap is $4.75 (as of 2009) for either CPT code (82270 or 82271) submitted (Medicare).
19. Can I get a Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?
Answer: YES. A downloadable version of this document is located under the “Downloads” link.
20. Can I get a Package Insert?
Answer: YES. The package insert is available under the “Download’ section of the website.
21. Do external positive and negative controls need to be run with each new kit used?
Answer: NO – the on-board analyte control is Heme, which has been impregnated into the test card control area (Performance Control). Heme is the analyte in blood, which is being detected by this test. Since this analyte control is developed with each test performed, it is unnecessary to run external controls for each test.
22. Does the appearance of the blue plus sign (+) (positive control), indicate a positive patient test result?
Answer: NO – the appearance of the blue plus sign (+), the internal positive control, is used in conjunction with the internal negative control to indicate that the test was performed and is functioning correctly.
23. Does Aerscher sell external blood controls?
Answer: NO – we can recommend a manufacturer that sells external controls that are compatible with our product.
24. Is HemaPrompt suitable for outpatient home collection use?
Answer: NO – HemaPrompt is not recommended for outpatient use. Current U.S. Postal Regulations prohibit mailing completed test slides in standard envelopes. Hemaprompt FG should not be sent in the mail and Aerscher does not provide postal approved mailing envelopes. Sending the card by mail may squeeze the developer out of the card when put through postal rollers used for mail sorting, making the card unusable. There is also the possibility that patients may develop their own test cards and not inform the physician of the occult blood result.
25. Should Gloves be worn during testing with HemaPrompt FG?
Answer: YES. The use of gloves is recommended during testing with HemaPrompt FG to prevent developer solution from coming into contact with skin.
26. Before I add sample to the HemaPrompt or HemaPrompt FG test card, the guaiac paper is already blue – can I still use this test?
Answer: Yes – blue slides are caused by improper storage. Proper storage for HemaPrompt/HemaPrompt FG test cards is at room temperature, away from heat, light, humidity and volatile chemicals. Blue test cards are valid to interpret by looking for the following:
- After the addition of developer, the guaiac paper should revert back to white where the developer has wetted the paper.
- After developer is added to the test card, observe internal control monitors: Positive control should appear as a blue monitor(plus sign (+) for HemaPrompt FG), negative control background color should be white/off white. If controls function correctly, test is valid. Invalid test is indicated by a pink/reddish monitor.