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  4. Quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Testing (qFIT) for patients with new lower gastrointestinal symptoms
  5. Lower gastrointestinal investigation priority based on qFIT result (Secondary Care Guidance)

Lower gastrointestinal investigation priority based on qFIT result (Secondary Care Guidance)

Endoscopy

Lower gastrointestinal investigation priority based on qFIT for patients with new unexplained iron deficiency anaemia

>1 qFIT >20 µgHb/g faeces

  • USC referral

>1 qFIT 10-19 µgHb/g faeces

  • Consider urgent lower gastrointestinal investigation

Both qFIT’s <10 µgHb/g faeces

  • Clinical review prior to considering non USC lower GI investigation for ongoing clinical concern

Lower gastrointestinal investigation priority based on qFIT result for new persistent lower gastrointestinal red flag symptoms (except iron deficiency anaemia)

>1 qFIT >20 µgHb/g faeces

  • USC referral

2 qFIT’s <20 µgHb/g faeces

  • Clinical review prior to considering non USC lower gastrointestinal investigation for ongoing clinical concern

Patients referred to secondary care without new USC colorectal symptoms or new unexplained iron deficiency anaemia and a qFIT ≥20µgHb/g faeces

For Patient referred to secondary care without new USC colorectal symptoms or new unexplained iron deficiency anaemia and a qFIT ≥20µgHb/g faeces, a secondary care review may be requested. Where secondary care confirms no new/persistent colorectal symptoms or a new unexplained Iron deficiency the following is recommended:

  • qFIT <80 µgHb/g faeces – return to referrer without investigation.
  • qFIT >80 µg/gHb/g faeces – luminal investigation may be considered where the Board has capacity and the patient has not had luminal investigation in the preceding 2 years.