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Centre de prélèvement et laboratoires
Since April 15, 2013, the laboratories at the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS) have been analyzing the
immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (iFOBT tests) prescribed by physicians throughout Quebec.
This page contains relevant information on how the test works, procedures to follow, and contact information for the CHUS’ laboratories.
Opportunistic screening allows the family physician to prescribe an iFOBT test for patients whick they deem to be at risk. The positivity threshold for this test is 175 ng/ml. The iFOBT test, which replaces the Guaiac test (gFOBT), offers several advantages for the patient:
- There are no prior dietary restrictions.
- Only one small stool sample is required, contrary to the three samples required by the Guaiac test.
Any questions?
Patients
Do you have questions or need more information?
Consult our page specifically for patients or contact your attending physician.
Health professionals
- If you have any technical or logistical questions concerning the test’s implementation, contact Pierre-Étienne Fillion, project leader at the CHUS, 819-346-1110, ext. 18209 or write to him at pefillion.chus@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.
- For questions of a medical nature, contact the CHUS’ biochemistry lab team at 819-346-1110, ext. 18210.
Procedures to follow
Steps to be taken by the patient
Steps to be taken by the patient
iFOBT prescription
- The attending physician must give the patient a prescription.
Specimen collection kit
- The patient goes to the test centre closest to his/her home to obtain a kit and instructions for taking the sample.
- Test centre personnel give the patient a kit, explanations, and instructions to follow.
- Before giving a patient a kit, check its expiry date and lot number.
Information to write on the specimen tube
The patient must clearly print the following information on the label on the specimen tube.
- Last and first names
- Birth date
- Date the specimen was taken
Handing in the specimen collection kit
Once the patient has obtained a sample, he/she must:
- Keep the specimen in the refrigerator until it can be taken to the test centre (where they obtained the kit);
- Take the specimen along with the physician’s prescription to the test centre as soon as possible, within 48 hours at most of taking the sample.
Information for physicians
Information for physicians
Prescription for an iFOBT test (FIT test): Information that must be written on the prescription
The physician must write the following information on the iFOBT prescription before giving it to the patient.
- Name of the analysis: iFOBT (immunochemical fecal occult blood test)
- Patient’s last and first names
- RAMQ (health insurance card) number
- Patient’s gender
- Physician’s name (legible, printed or in capital letters)
- Physician’s practice address and telephone number
- Physician’s license number and signature
- Date the prescription is issued
In case of menstrual period or bleeding hemorrhoids
These two situations can cause false positive during stool sample analysis. To prevent this, we recommend that patients menstruating wait until their period ends. In documented cases of bleeding hemorrhoids, it is recommend that patients wait until the bleeding subsides before taking the test.
Specimen analysis and the forwarding of results
- The requesting institution sends the specimen to the CHUS as per its transportation agreements.
- The results will be sent to the requesting institution through regional labs within 7 days of the specimen’s arrival at the CHUS’ laboratory.
- It is the requesting institution’s responsibility to send the results to the physician.
As a guide, here is an example of the analysis report providedCHUS cancer colorectal rapport analyse Test RSOSi. [French only]
Information for test centres and laboratories - Preparation
Preparing samples to be sent to the CHUS
1. Ensure that the following information is clearly indicated on the iFOBT test prescription
- Name of the analysis: iFOBT
- Patient’s last and first names
- RAMQ (health insurance card) number
- Patient’s gender
- Physician’s name (printed or in capital letters)
- Physician’s practice address and telephone number
- Physician’s license number and signature
- Date the prescription is issued
2. Ensure that the following information is clearly indicated on each iFOBT specimen collection tube
- Last and first names
- Birth date
- Date the specimen was taken
3. Each time samples are sent to the CHUS, assemble the following information on a work list (if used)
- Patient’s last and first names
- Patient’s gender
- Date the specimen was taken
- RAMQ (health insurance card) number
- Last and first names of the prescribing physician
- Name, address, telephone and fax numbers of the requesting institution
- Name and telephone number of a contact person
4. Expiration Date
- The collection kits have an expiration date. So limit your inventory.
- Before giving the patient a specimen collection kit, check the expiration date and lot number on the specimen collection tube.
5. Keep the samples at a temperature of 4°C until they are sent to the CHUS (maximum 7 days)
Information for test centres and laboratories - Transporting
Transporting specimens to the CHUS
1. Use your usual means of transporting specimens. |
2. Place the iFOBT samples in the same watertight container if the number of tubes to be sent allows it, and separate them from the other specimens. |
3. Keep the specimens at a temperature of 4°C throughout transport. |
4. Arrange the specimens in the order indicated on the work list. |
5. Fill out a dispatch confirmation sheet with the following information:
|
6. Print “iFOBT” on each box, as well as the name of a contact person with his or her telephone number. |
7. Address to: CHUS - Hôpital Fleurimont |
Hours and contact information
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed statutory holidays
CHUS, iFOBT Laboratory contact information
Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS) – Fleurimont Hospital
iFOBT Laboratory, Door 3424-1
3001 12th Avenue N.
Sherbrooke, QC
J1H 5N4
Tel.: 819-346-1110, ext. 18210
Fax: 819-820-6489
Relevant documentation
Only Available in French
> INESSS - Test immunochimique de recherche de sang occulte dans les selles
> Portail santé mieux-être du Gouvernement du Québec, cancer colorectal