Users guide c14 cap

14C-Urea Breath Test for
Presence of H. pylori
User's
Guide
Kit Contents

• 1 14C-Urea Capsule
• 2 Breath sample collection balloons
• 2 Straws: for inflating balloons
• 2 30cc dosing cups
• 1 3-part patient data and reform form
• 1 Product package insert
• 1 Package insert summary and test procedure directions
• 1 Patient information pamphlet
• 1 Kit delivery/return box

Completion of Forms
The Balloon Labels
The patient's name, identification number, date of test performance, time of
capsule administration, time of breath sample collection (i.e., 10 and 20
minutes), and the ordering physician's name should be clearly printed on the
balloon label.
The Report Form
The report form must be completed and sent back to Radiopharmacy with any
test sample balloons. You should complete the top section only of this form.
The bottom section is completed by test sample analysts at Radiopharmacy.
Please keep the pink copy to track kits which you have returned for analysis.
Please return the white and yellow copies with the breath sample balloons. A
copy of the results will be fax'ed to you imeediately after analysis is completed.
The completed white copy of the form will be returned to you via U.S. mail.
Please record the following when completing the report form:
1. Last Name: - Patient last name
2. First Name: - Patient first name
3. Date: - Date test performed
4. DOB: - Patient's date of birth
5. SSN: - (optional) Patient's social security number
6. Sex: - male/female
7. Referring Dr.: - (optional)
8. Phone: - Number to call for questions regarding the test; usually the number
for the department where test is performed. 9. Fax: - Number where results are to be fax'ed.
10. Address: - Where the test is being performed. The name of the facility,
street address, city, state, zip code, and to whose attention the results should be mailed. 11. Patient Status: - circle appropriate status as related to the 14C-urea breath
test. Fill in the number of months since treatment (tx) for ulcer or H. pylori infection. 12. Confounding Factors: - Circle all that are present. Refer to additional
information on confounding factors in this Guide. Remember to keep the pink copy and forward the white and yellow copies to Radiopharmacy in the samples return box. If you have any questions please call 800 755-5889 or 812 421-1002. 13. Signed: - Signature of the physician interpreting the results at your facility,
and date of signature. Physician completes /signs after reviewing the
returned test results.
Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between the blood tests for H. pylori and the breath
tests?
Yes. Tests on blood and serum detect antibodies to the bacterium. They do not
necessarily detect active infection.
Are there other tests besides 14C-urea breath testing that detect active
infection?
Yes. A non-radioactive urea breath test is available, but it costs about twice as
much yet is no more accurate than the 14C test. The only other way to detect
active infection besides breath testing is biopsy of the ulcer site; an invasive and
expensive procedure.
Are there any special preparations needed before performing 14C-urea
Breath testing?
No. The medical use of 14C-urea does not require a radioactive materials
license. However, because 14C-urea capsules are legend drugs, you must
comply with applicable Food and Drug Administration or other Federal and State
requirements governing receipt, administration and use of drugs.
How does the test work?
To detect H. pylori, 14C-urea in a capsule is swallowed by the patient. If the H.
pylori bacteria are present, gastric urease that it produces will split urea into
CO2 and NH3. The 14CO2 is subsequently exhaled in the patient's breath. The
breath sample is collected into a balloon and later transferred to a solution that
traps the radioactive 14CO2. The liquid sample is then analyzed in a liquid
scintillation counter to detect the radiolabeled CO2. 14C-urea that is not
hydrolyzed by H. pylori is excreted in the urine.
How are the kits ordered and returned to Radiopharmacy for analysis and
how soon will I get a result?
Because of the kit's long shelf life, we recommend you maintain an inventory of
14C-urea Breath Test kits. When you place an order, kits are delivered by the
method of your choice (pharmacy courier, UPS, Fed-X, U.S. mail, etc.).
Kits are supplied in return delivery boxes. After completing the test, return the
samples in the pre-addressed return box. Breath samples are analyzed the day
received at Radiopharmacy. Results are returned via fax immediately after
analysis is complete; usually the next day. Results of samples received on
Fridays are returned via fax on Monday. Please keep in mind that priority mail is
not guaranteed, and may therefore take more than two days for the test samples
arrive at Radiopharmacy. To help speed results return, you may also return kits
via UPS or Fed-X.
What happens if the patient feels the capsule is stuck in his/her throat?
You may give the patient an additional 20cc water immediately followed by the
standard 20cc 3 minutes after capsule ingestion. Use common sense and give
the patient enough water to ensure that the capsule is in the stomach, but not an
entire (ex. 8 oz) glass of water. Too much water can prevent the capsule from
dissolving in contact with the lining of the stomach possibly causing a false
negative result.
What are confounding factors for the 14C-Urea Breath Test?
The following items are considered confounding factors. Any of the following
confounding factors could lead to a false-negative result.
ANTIBIOTICS: Patients should not have the test performed if they have had
antibiotics in the last month.
BISMUTH: Patients should be off all bismuth drugs for one month prior to the
breath test. The most common source of bismuth is Pepto Bismol. Patients
should not have the test performed if they have had bismuth in the last month.
SUCRALFATE: Patients should not have the test performed if they have had
sucralfate (Carafate) in the last 2 weeks.
NONFASTING: Patient should be fasting for 6 hours prior to the test. This
means nothing to eat or drink.
PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS: Patients should not have the test performed if
they have had a proton pump inhibitor in the last 2 weeks.
What medications are considered Proton-Pump Inhibitors?

Generic Name
Brand Name

Are H2 Blockers considered a confounding factor?
No
What medications are considered H2 Blockers?

Generic Name
Brand Name

Are antacids considered to be a confounding factor?
No

What are names of some commonly used antacids?
Maalox, Rolaids, Tums, Mylanta, Gelusil, and many more.
Is there someone I can call if I am unfamiliar with a particular drug the
patient has taken?
Yes, you may call a pharmacist at 800 755-5889.
How soon can the test be repeated?
The test may be repeated after 6 hours if the patient is fasting and has no other
confounding factors.
What should be done if the patient is unable to fully inflate the balloon with
one breath?
After the patient has partially inflated the balloon with his first breath, simply
squeeze the straw to keep the breath in the balloon form escaping. Allow the
patient to take another breath, hold it for 5-10 seconds and then again blow into
the balloon. You should try to complete this process as soon as possible. The
patient may take as many breaths as is needed to completely fill the balloon.
What happens if the balloon is only half filled?
One mmol of CO2 is required in order to perform analysis of the breath sample.
The amount of breath required to provide 1 mmol varies depending on the
amount of CO2 the patient is producing. A balloon which is half-full may or may
not provide enough CO2. We strongly recommend the balloons be completely
filled. Do not be concerned about the balloon bursting - they are very strong.
What happens if the balloon has a leak?
If you can locate the leak, seal it with a piece of adhesive tape. If the leak
cannot be found, you may "rob" a balloon from another kit to be replaced later.
One reason for supplying balloons for two samples with each kit is to prevent the
loss of the patient study if one sample is lost.
Interpretation and Results
What are the cut-off points for positive and negative results?


What causes an indeterminate result?
An indeterminate result can be caused by random chemiluminescence of the
liquid scintillation cocktail. However if results from both sample balloons are in
the indeterminate range, the chances of the cause being chemiluminescence is
small. If one result is in the indeterminate range and the other in the positive or
negative range, the indeterminate sample is recounted to rule out
chemiluminescence.
An indeterminate result can also be caused by a patient who actually has H.
pylori but has a confounding factor for the test. Note that based on hundred of
samples analyzed to date, less than 5% of all samples fall in the indeterminate
range.
What is suggested for re-testing a patient with an indeterminate result?
The indeterminate result should be evaluated by repeating the test or using an
alternative diagnostic method. If you repeat the breath test, be sure to obtain a
careful history to exclude confounding factors. If confounding factors are
present, wait appropriate time (table below or at least 6 hours) before repeating
the breath test.
Confounding Factor
Recommended Wait to Re-testing

Does the test result need to be confirmed by serology or other methods of
testing?
No
What does it mean if I discover a patient had a confounding factor and the
result is negative?
It may be a false negative result. The test should be repeated after the
confounding factor has been eliminated for the appropriate amount of time.
Radiation Safety

What is the risk from the 14C?
The 14C-urea breath test gives a maximum Effective Dose Equivalent (EDE) to
the patient of 0.3 mrem. This is approximately the same radiation dose as 24
hours of normal background radiation.
What is the dose to the people performing the test? Are they at risk?
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has performed an analysis of the
radiation dose estimates for personnel working the 14C-urea breath test and
concluded that the risks to those performing the test is insignificant. The NRC
has exempted the performance of this test from their regulations.
Waste Disposal

What do I do with the packaging considering it was used with radioactive
material?
All references to radioactive material and the radiation symbol should be
defaced prior to disposing in the regular trash.
Billing and Reimbursement
Is there a CPT CODE for 14C-urea breath testing?
Their are two CPT codes used for the two separate parts of 14C -urea breath
testing.
78267 Urea Breath Test, C-14; acquisition for analysis
78268 Breath test Analysis, C-14
Regulatory Issues
Do we have to have a CLIA license to perform this test at our site?
No, CLIA does not consider breath a sample and, therefore, does not regulate
the 14C-urea breath test.

Do I need a radioactive materials license to perform this test?
No, other than Kansas and Maryland, no other states require a radioactive
materials license to perform the 14C-urea breath test.

Who do call to order the 14C-urea breath test?
Call your local nuclear pharmacy or Radiopharmacy, Inc. at (800) 755-5889 or
(812) 421-1002. A pharmacist will take your order.
Are we required to check each 14C-urea capsule in a dose calibrator like
we are other radiopharmaceuticals?
No, a dose calibrator is not capable of accurately measuring this type of
radioisotope. NRC regulations do not require unit dosages be assayed prior to
administration to a patient.

Source: http://www.radiopharmacy.com/pamphlets/C14%20User's%20Guide.pdf