Patient Preparation
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Specimen Collection |
- Acceptable specimen types:
- Whole blood in Red Top Serum Coagulation Tube or Serum Separator Tube (SST)
- Serum in sterile, plastic, screw-capped vial
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Specimen Labeling |
- Specimen should be labled with at least two unique patient identifiers and match accompanying test order.
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Specimen Processing |
- Follow the tube manufacture's processing instructions for collection tubes.
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Specimen Storage and Preservation |
- Specimens may be stored at 2 - 30°C for up to 72 hours post collection.
- Specimens may be stored at 2 - 8°C for up to seven (7) days.
- If testing will be delayed more than seven (7) days, aliquot serum into a sterile, plastic, screw-capped vial and store at -20°C or colder.
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Specimen Transportation |
- Ship specimens at 2 - 8°C on cold packs, if possible. Specimens may be shipped at 2-30°C if receipt at laboratory will occur within 72 hours of collection.
- Specimens should be be placed in a biohazard bag with absorbent material.
- All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180).
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Specimen Acceptability and Rejection |
- Grossly hemolyzed, lipemic, or microbially contaminated specimens will be rejected.
- If expiration date on collection tube is prior to collection date, specimen will be rejected.
- Specimens received after expiration of viability will be rejected.
- Unlabeled or improperly identified specimens will be rejected.
- Specimens collected in unapproved tube types will be rejected.
- Specimens broken in transit will be rejected.
- Specimens leaking in transit may be rejected after assessment of viability and contamination.
- Specimens with insufficient volumes of serum will be rejected.
- Specimens with clerical errors in the lab order or on the specimen tube will be rejected.
- Specimens transported or stored at incorrect temperatures will be rejected.
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Testing Location |
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