Patient Preparation
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| Specimen Collection |
- Acceptable specimen types:
-Whole blood in Serum Separator Tube (SST) [preferred]
-Whole blood in Red Top Serum Coagulation Tube
-Serum in sterile, plastic, screw-capped vial
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| Specimen Labeling |
- Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers and match accompanying test order.
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| Specimen Processing |
- Processing will be performed in the laboratory.
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| Specimen Storage and Preservation |
- Specimens should not be stored at room temperature longer than 8 hours post-collection.
- Samples that are not tested within 8 hours of collection should be stored at 2-8°C and must be tested within 2 days of collection.
- If testing will be delayed beyond 2 days, aliquot the serum into a sterile, plastic, screw-capped vial and store at -20°C or colder.
- Prevent freeze/thaw cycles.
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| Specimen Transport |
- Specimens must be placed in an individual biohazard bag with absorbent material.
- Specimens should be shipped to the laboratory on the day of collection.
- Specimen storage temperature (2 to 8°C or at -20°C or colder) must be maintained during transport.
- 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 |
- Specimens received without documented CEDEP consultation/approval will not be tested.
- Grossly hemolyzed, lipemic, or microbially contaminated specimens will be rejected.
- If the expiration date on the collection tube is prior to the collection date, the 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. A minimum of 50 microliters of serum is required.
- 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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