IN YOUR TEST KIT YOU WILL FIND:

1 Test Kit Instructions Leaflet

1 Information Leaflet

1 Personal Details Card

1 Freepost Return Envelope

1 Pouch containing 3 Hemoccult^® Test Cards, six applicators and a storage bag for used test cards.

Also included in the pouch is a multilingual instructions leaflet which should be disregarded for the purpose of this programme.

1. PREPARING FOR THE TEST

Three days before the first sample is taken and throughout the testing period the following are recommended:

Eat a high fibre diet including wholemeal bread, wheatbran or nuts and drink plenty of fluids. This increases stool volume and helps to avoid constipation during the test period.

Avoid Vitamin C intake of more than 250mg a day. You can eat fruit and vegetables but don't take Vitamin C supplements.

Avoid drugs which may cause intestinal bleeding, e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen. Please see your doctor for advice before altering any prescribed medication.

Avoid the application of antiseptic preparations containing iodine to the anal area.

The balanced sensitivity of Hemoccult^® is such that no dietary restrictions are required before or during the test period, although black pudding should be avoided.

2.  COLLECTING YOUR FIRST SAMPLE AND DOING THE FIRST TEST

Open the pouch by carefully tearing along the perforated line to separate the storage bag from the test card pouch.

Take the Test Cards out of the pouch and write your name on them.

Date one card with the first sample collection date.

Lift open the flap on which you have written your details.

Do not open the flap on the back of the card marked "Laboratory Use Only" 

Perform your bowel motion.

It is important that the sample you use on the Test Card has not fallen into the toilet water as this could affect the result.  Stool may be collected on a pad of folded toilet paper held in the hand, or by using plastic gloves, bags or other containers.

Take one cardboard applicator from the block and collect a small (pea-sized) sample of your bowel motion.  Spread it thinly over the whole of the left square (‘A').  The cardboard applicator you have used should now be disposed of by dropping it into the toilet.

Using a second cardboard applicator take another small (pea-sized) sample from a different part of your bowel motion.  Spread it thinly over the whole of the right square (‘B'). This cardboard applicator should also be disposed of by dropping it into the toilet.

Note: Please take care not to overload the sample area as this can make analysis of the samples difficult.

When you have finished

Close the flap on the Test Card and tuck it under the green tab to keep it closed.

Do not leave your Test Card in bright sunlight.  Place the card in the bacteria proof storage bag for used test cards.  Flush away any tissue, the used cardboard applicators and the bowel movement.  Dispose of any plastic gloves, bags or other containers that you may have used in an appropriate manner.

Now wash your hands.

3. COLLECTING YOUR SECOND SAMPLE AND DOING THE SECOND TEST

Date another Test Card with the second sample collection date.

Lift open the flap on which you have written your details.

Repeat the test as previously described under ‘Collecting your first sample and doing the first test', using the squares ‘A' and ‘B' on this second test card.

4. COLLECTING YOUR THIRD SAMPLE AND DOING THE THIRD TEST

Date the last Test Card with the third sample collection date.

Lift open the flap on which you have written your details. 

Repeat the test as previously described under ‘Collecting your first sample and doing the first test', using the squares ‘A' and ‘B' on this third test card.

Note:  The samples do not need to be taken from three bowel motions in a row, but they should be taken on three different days.

5.  CHECKLIST

Ensure that you have written your name and the sample collection dates on all three Test Cards.

Ensure that you have sampled 3 different bowel movements and that you have used 2 squares on the Test Cards for each bowel movement. When you have finished, all 6 squares should have been used.

Ensure the you have completed the Personal Details Card so that we can return your results.

Place the three Test Cards in the bacteria proof storage bag for used Test Cards.  Place the sealed storage bag and the completed Personal Details Card into the freepost envelope provided.

Ensure that the completed Test Cards are sent to Point Of Care Testing Ltd (POCT Ltd) within 10 days of your first sample being taken and at least 14 days prior to the Test Card expiry date.

6.  MAILING TO POCT LTD

Ensure that the bacteria proof storage bag is carefully sealed and return it to POCT Ltd in the freepost envelope provided.

The bacteria proof storage bag is designed to meet postal regulations and is therfore safe to send in the post.  The bacteria proof storage bag MUST be used to return the completed Test Cards to POCT Ltd.

If you are returning the completed Test Cards to POCT Ltd from outside the UK, please place the bacteria proof storage bag and the Personal Details Card into another envelope addressed to POCT Ltd at the address below and affix the relevant postage.  The freepost envelope provided is only for use within the UK.

Point Of Care Testing Ltd, Unit 5, Arbroath Business Centre, Dens Road, Arbroath, Angus, DD11 1RS, UK

7. YOUR RESULTS

After laboratory analysis of your test samples we will write to you with your results within  10 days.  If you have not received results within this time period please write to us at the address detailed in Section 6 or e-mail us at: info@pocl.co.uk.