Occult blood sampling device and assay

A method for collecting a clinical specimen, using a sample collecting folder having a front panel, a back panel, a specimen receiving portion, and a detachable sample transferring stick, comprising the following steps in order:

• opening the sample collecting folder by lifting the front panel to expose a specimen receiving area;
• applying a clinical specimen which contains an analyte to said receiving area;
• transferring said specimen to a sample collecting portion of said sample transferring stick;
• closing said sample collecting folder by lowering said front panel;
• and
• removing a sample transferring stick of said folder by grasping the handle portion thereof, said transferring stick containing a portion of said applied specimen adhering thereto, so that contact between a user and the specimen is avoided during the removal step.

A sampling folder for use in the collection of a specimen, comprising:

• a front panel;
• a back panel;
• a sample collecting panel at least partially covered by said front panel and having a specimen application area thereon;
• and
• a specimen receiving panel covered by said sample collecting panel;
• all of said panels being in overlying relationship, said front panel being openable to permit application of a specimen to said specimen application area,
• said specimen receiving panel comprising a detachable sample transferring stick having a handle portion and a sample collecting portion, said sample collecting portion being of a material that does not absorb substantial amounts of fluid,
• said sample transferring stick positioned such that the sample collecting portion of said sample transferring stick is located underneath said specimen application area of said specimen receiving panel and said handle portion is located under a portion of said specimen receiving panel other than said specimen application area.