357. A Word to the Wise about Home Medical Tests
Medical self-testing kits are convenient, relatively inexpensive, and readily available. They can be used without a visit to the doctor. It’s no wonder that Americans are purchasing them in increasing numbers, spending millions of dollars on them annually. Home tests offer consumers a sense of self-reliance that can complement, though not take the place of, the advice of their physicians.
While hundreds of different medical self-testing kits exist, they generally can be grouped into three categories.
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•Those that diagnose when symptoms are present. These include the popular self-testing kits for pregnancy.
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•Those that diagnose when no symptoms are present. These include kits that test for blood in the stool, which could indicate colon cancer, or kits that help couples conceive by testing for the time of ovulation.
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•Those that monitor an ongoing condition. These include glucose testing for diabetes and blood pressure readings for persons with high blood pressure.
The U.S. Public Health Service and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offer the following suggestions for safe and effective use of self-testing kits. (Each of these precautions does not necessarily apply to all tests.)
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•For test kits that contain chemicals, note the expiration date. Beyond that date, chemicals may lose potency and affect results. Don’t buy or use a test kit after the expiration date.
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•Check whether the product needs protection from heat or cold. If so, don’t leave it in the car trunk or by a sunny window on the trip home. At home, follow storage directions.
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•Study the package insert. First, read it through to get a general idea of how to perform the test. Then, go back and review the instructions and diagrams carefully so that you fully understand each step.
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•Be sure you understand what the test is intended to do and what its limitations may be. Remember, the tests are not 100 percent accurate.
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•If the test results rely on color comparison and you’re color blind, be sure someone who can discern color helps you interpret the results.
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•Note special precautions, such as avoiding physical activity or certain foods and drugs before testing.
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•Follow instructions exactly, including the specimen collection process, if that is a part of the test. Sequence is important. Don’t skip a step.
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•When collecting a urine specimen–unless you use a container from a kit–first wash the container thoroughly and rinse out all soap traces, preferably with distilled water.
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•When a step is timed, be precise. Use a stopwatch, or at least a watch with a second hand.
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•Note what you should do if the results are positive, negative, or unclear.
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•If something isn’t clear, don’t guess. Consult a pharmacist or other health professional, or check the insert for a toll-free “800” number to call for additional information.
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•Keep accurate records of results.
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•As with medications, keep test kits that contain chemicals out of the reach of children. Promptly discard used test materials as directed.
Any malfunction of a self-test should be reported to the manufacturer or to the U.S. Pharmacopeia Practitioner’s Reporting Network at 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852. The report also may be called in toll-free at 1.800.638.6725 or sent via the Internet at www.usp.org.
