Recently Health Services Laboratories (HSL) advised practices that the OC-Auto sampling bottle should be used for both faecal calprotectin and quantitative faecal immunochemical testing (QFIT).

But if patients present with watery stools, the OC-Auto sample collection device cannot be used. 

So for this cohort of patients, please send the sample in the traditional blue topped tubes and they will be processed by HSL using a different method.

Samples received in the incorrect container will be rejected.

Further information is available in the practice guidance from HSL. 

For any queries, contact duty.biochemist@hslpathology.com.

This item was updated on 25 February 2026 to add the information about how to process samples from watery stools