If collected in . . .

Then . . .

• Edmonton Zone (all sites)
• Calgary Zone (all sites)
• South Zone (all sites)
• North/Central Zone Patient Service Centres

Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test (HpSAT) is recommended as the primary test for H. pylori. Refer to H. pylori stool antigen test

The urea breath test (UBT) is available when there is:

• a GI specialist request
• an indeterminate HpSAT result
• approval by the Clinical Chemist/Microbiologist on call
• a third-party/naturopath request

All other sites in the North/Central Zone

For sample stability reasons, the urea breath test remains the primary test for H. pylori. Follow the instructions below

Patient Care Centre staff (PCCs):

1.    Hold the collection container for the patient

2.    Instruct the patient to:

           ·       hold the straw

           ·       take a full breath

           ·       exhale fully through the straw, into the bottom of the collection container for 4-8 seconds

3.    Before pulling the collection container away:

           ·       instruct the patient to continue to blow out as you remove the container

4.    Immediately cap the collection container; tighten firmly until snug

5.    Examine the container:

           ·       the cap must be on straight

           ·       the inside of the container must be moist or foggy

If . . .

then, . . .

  ·       the patient was observed to inhale during the collection

  ·       or, the inside of the container is not moist/foggy

the patient must exhale into the container a second time to obtain an adequate specimen