美國Polymedco公司（Cortlandt Manor，NY，USA）推出了OC Auto Micro80糞便隱血檢測儀，這種新型分析儀可以通過免疫化學試驗方法檢測糞便樣本是否有出血，糞便隱血試驗一直被建議作為常規檢查項目來檢測出血患者、以及對直腸癌或者消化道出血患者進行篩查。

傳統上一直使用愈創木脂檢測法（guaiac-based tests）手工檢測糞便隱血。不幸的是：患者收集糞便樣本進行篩查的依從性很低。這種依從性較低主要是由于傳統糞便隱血試驗需要飲食限制（使用愈創木脂法檢測所必須的）以及收集糞便樣本時候感官上不舒服。這種新型分析儀，OC Auto Micro80則免除了這些不便。檢測結果不再受到飲食影響，而且新型收集裝置將原來三次才能完成的樣本收集減少為一次完成。

Polymedco公司指出：目前直腸癌的生存率是62％，但是如果增加糞便隱血的篩查可以發現早期癌癥，從而提高生存率，并且降低與晚期直腸癌相關的長期醫療支出。因為糞便隱血試驗是非侵入性檢查方法，該公司的自動檢測儀提高了糞便隱血試驗的敏感性和特異性，并減少了假陽性，從而降低了醫療總成本，并且減少不必要的侵入性檢查手段減少了患者的痛苦。

Analyzer Processes Test for Stool Blood
A new analyzer processes an immunochemical test to detect the presence of blood in stool samples, a test recommended for use in routine physical exams when monitoring for bleeding in patients or screening for colorectal cancer or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Traditionally, tests for blood in stool have been performed manually with guaiac-based tests. Unfortunately, the compliance rate of patients collecting samples for screening has been poor. This shortfall in compliance has been due mainly to dietary restrictions that are necessary with guaiac-based tests as well as for esthetic reasons associated with stool-specimen collection. The new analyzer, OC Auto Micro 80, eliminates both of these concerns because results are not affected by diet, and a new collection device reduces the three sample collections down to one. The OC Auto Micro 80 is the product of Polymedco (Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA).

Currently, the survival rate of colorectal cancer is 62%, but increased screening will likely identify patients in earlier stages of the disease, thus improving the survival rate and reducing the long-term medical costs associated with late-stage colorectal cancer, noted Polymedco. Because a fecal occult blood test leads to more invasive procedures, improved sensitivity and specificity such as that offered by the company’s automated test may reduce the number of false-positives, thereby lowering overall costs and reducing unnecessary invasive procedures.