Pathology Specimen Handbook

Please ensure that blood for molecular testing for BCRABL is collected in a separate dedicated sterile tube. Molecular specimens must NOT be put through any analysers. If unsure please call the Genetics and Molecular Pathology laboratory.

Tube handling must be minimized to prevent contamination.

Collections between Friday 2:30pm and Sunday 12pm must be avoided. Specimens collected after 12pm on Sundays must be stored at room temperature. Specimens more than 24 hours old cannot be tested and a recollection will be requested.

For collections that occur externally to the Clayton site, please ensure that specimens reach the Clayton laboratory by 4pm if collected on Fridays.

Please ensure that blood for molecular testing for BCRABL is collected in a separate dedicated sterile tube. Molecular specimens must NOT be put through any analysers. If unsure please call the Genetics and Molecular Pathology laboratory.

Tube handling must be minimized to prevent contamination.

For EDTA tubes collections between Friday 2:30pm and Sunday 12pm must be avoided.

EDTA specimens collected after 12pm on Sundays must be stored at room temperature.

EDTA specimens more than 24 hours old cannot be tested and a recollection will be requested. Sample in Paxgene tube is viable for 3 days at room temparature.  

For EDTA collections that occur externally to the Clayton site, please ensure that specimens reach the Clayton laboratory by 3pm if collected on Fridays.

Adults add 5-10ml blood.  Fill the aerobic bottle first then the anaerobic. Paeds add 1-5ml blood. For mycobacteria use single specific bottle (contact Microbiology). Use sterile technique

Adults add 5-10ml blood.  Fill the aerobic bottle first then the anaerobic. Paeds add 1-5ml blood. For mycobacteria/Fungi use single specific bottle (contact Microbiology). Use sterile technique

Use a CSF set of three tubes .

For Adults collect 1mL into Tube 1 and 2 and 3mL into tube 3

For Paediatric patients collect 5 drops into Tubes 1 and 2 and 1mL into tube 3

Please specify if require: AFB's, viral culture, PCR for HSV, Enterovirus, varicella, CMV, cell count on all three tubes (eg SAH), syphilis serology (send a serum sample as well if syphilis suspected)

Use a CSF set of three tubes .

For Adults collect 1mL into Tube 1 and 2 and 3mL into tube 3

For Paediatric patients collect 5 drops into Tubes 1 & 2 and 1mL into tube 3

Please specify if require: AFB's, viral culture, PCR for HSV, Enterovirus, varicella, CMV, cell count on all three tubes (eg SAH), syphilis serology (send a serum sample as well if syphilis suspected)

Use a CSF set of three tubes .

For Adults collect 1mL into Tube 1 and 2 and 3mL into tube 3

Please specify if require: AFB's, viral culture, PCR for HSV, Enterovirus, varicella, CMV, cell count on all three tubes (eg SAH), syphilis serology (send a serum sample as well if syphilis suspected)

Use a CSF set of three tubes .

For Adults collect 1mL into Tube 1 and 2 and 3mL into tube 3

For Paediatric patients collect 5 drops into Tubes 1 and 2 and 1mL into tube 3

Please specify if require: AFB's, viral culture, PCR for HSV, Enterovirus, varicella, CMV, cell count on all three tubes (eg SAH), syphilis serology (send a serum sample as well if syphilis suspected)

Advance notice of a frozen section is required (up to 24 hours pending of campus) The following information must be provided:-

1)Patient name 2)Name of surgeon 3)Date and time of surgery 4)Location (threatre phone number) 5)Nature of specimen

 If operation is cancelled, delayed, or frozen section no longer required, notify histopathologist immediately.

Out-of-hours frozen section examinations are available by consultation with the on-call pathologist (contact via switchboard).

Request form must indicate "FROZEN SECTION"

Advance notice of a frozen section is required (up to 24 hours pending of campus) The following information must be provided:-

1)Patient name 2)Name of surgeon 3)Date and time of surgery 4)Location (threatre phone number) 5)Nature of specimen

When delivering specimens for frozen section to pathology, please hand over to staff directly, do not leave the specimen unattended

For Clayton campus deliver the specimen and request form directly to the histopathology laboratory on level 3, NOT specimen reception on level 4.

 If the surgery is cancelled, delayed, or frozen section no longer required, notify histopathologist immediately.

Out-of-hours frozen section examinations are available by consultation with the on-call pathologist (contact via switchboard).

Request form must indicate "FROZEN SECTION"

Non fasting samples are acceptable.

Cna only be collected at Dandenong, Casey, Clayton and Moorabbin collection rooms. Samples MUST be collected and sent to laboratory on ice.

Non fasting samples are acceptable.

Can only be collected at Dandenong, Casey, Clayton and Moorabbin collection rooms. Samples MUST be collected and sent to laboratory on ice.

Trough level 8 hours post dose

MUST be non gel serum tube

Trough (pre-dose) level 8 hours post oral dose

MUST be non gel lithium heparin tube

Ring private pathology rooms on 42469 to make an appointment.

Test performed on Tuesdays and read on Fridays.

Sample must be collected on ice.

Pre dose measurements are preferred.

However some requests may require 4 samples for area under the curve calculation.

Pre dose  

1hr post dose

2hrs post dose

4 hrs post dose

Requesting doctors must fill in a questionnaire of patient information

https://monashpathology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Mycophenolic_Acid.pdf

Sample must be collected on ice.

Requesting doctors must fill in a questionnaire of patient information

https://monashpathology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Mycophenolic_Acid.pdf

Sample must be collected on ice.

Pre dose measurements are preferred.

However some requests may require 4 samples for area under the curve calculation.

Pre dose  

1hr post dose

2hrs post dose

4 hrs post dose

Sample must be collected on ice.

Pre dose measurements are preferred.

However some requests may require 4 samples for area under the curve calculation.

Pre dose  

1hr post dose

2hrs post dose

4 hrs post dose

Requesting doctors must fill in a questionnaire of patient information

Requires QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Blood Collection Tubes set of four. Collect 1 mL into each tube. Refer to photograph for order of draw. Mix gently by turning tube end-over end X10 ensuring that the entire inner surface of the tube has been coated in blood.

Collections are to be performed at Pathology Collection rooms. Send to laboratory immediately after collection.

Please collect from Monday to Friday between 0900-1600 hours only.

DO NOT STORE IN FRIDGE BEFORE SENDING

Requires QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Blood Collection Tubes set of four. Collect 1 mL into each tube. Refer to photograph for order of draw. Mix gently by turning tube end-over end X10 ensuring that the entire inner surface of the tube has been coated in blood.

Collections are to be performed at Pathology Collection rooms. Send to laboratory immediately after collection.

Please collect from Monday to Friday between 0900-1600 hours only.

Please answer question if patient is immunosuppressed.

If non-MBS then non CMBS test

DO NOT STORE IN FRIDGE BEFORE SENDING

Non-CMBS test

Requires dedicated blood sample

Non-CMBS test

Patients (rather than samples) should be referred to the Andrology at Clayton Phone 9543 2833 or Richmond Phone 8540 5587 . Note patients are required to ring for an appointment

Patients (rather than samples) should be referred to the Andrology at Clayton Phone 8540 5587 or Richmond Phone 8540 5587 . Note patients are required to ring for an appointment

Patients (rather than samples) should be referred to the Andrology at Clayton Phone 9590 8325 or Richmond Phone 9429 4603. Note patients are required to ring for an appointment

Patients (rather than samples) should be referred to the Andrology at Clayton Phone 9543 2833 or Richmond Phone 8540 5587 . Note patients are required to ring for an appointment

Patients (rather than samples) should be referred to the Andrology at Clayton Phone 9590 8325 or Richmond Phone 9429 4603. Note patients are required to ring for an appointment

Patients (rather than samples) should be referred to the Andrology at Clayton Phone 8540 5587 or Richmond Phone 8540 5587. Note patients are required to ring for an appointment

Collect specimen from the perianal area first thing in the morning, before the patient has bathed or used the toilet. The test should be performed for at least  4-6 consecutive days with negative results before a patient is considered free of infection.

A. Place a segment of sticky tape (adhesive side down) on a microscope slide: starting 1.5cm from one end, run the tape towards the same end, and wrap the tape around the slide to the opposite end. Tear the tape even with the end of the slide. Attach a label to the tape at the end torn flush with the slide.

B. Peel back the tape by gripping the labeled end and with the tape looped (adhesive side outward) over a wooden tongue depressor that is held firmly against the slide and extended about 2.5cm beyond it, press the tape firmly several times against the right and left perianal folds.

C. Smooth the tape back on the slide, adhesive side down.