Pathology Specimen Handbook

Please notify the Chemical Pathologist of the collection and when it is sent to the laboratory

Sample requirements:  

Adult 12 mL EDTA and 12mL serum (clot)

Child 4 - 6 mL EDTA and 1-2 mL serum (clot)

Samples to be stored and transported at room temperature.

Collection requirements:

Contact VTIS Reception prior to collection of all neutrophil antibody requests: phone: (03) 9694-0354, or email: VTISAdminVIC@redcrossblood.org.au

Collection for this test must occur after 3pm on the Monday and arrive in the VTIS laboratory by 9am on Tuesday morning (Neutrophils must be isolated for testing before the 18 hours following collection)

Collect specimen in a dedicated tube for molecular testing.

1. PAXgene specimens can be collected any time as they are viable for three days. Collect specimens via butterflies as there is a possible backflow of the liquid inside the PAXgene tube if a vacutainer is used.

2. EDTA specimens can be collected any time from Monday to Thursday and only before 12pm on Friday. Ensure specimens collected on Friday reach the GMP lab in Clayton before 3pm.

Collect specimen in a dedicated tube for molecular testing.

1. PAXgene specimens can be collected any time as they are viable for three days. Collect specimens via butterflies as there is a possible backflow of the liquid inside the PAXgene tube if a vacutainer is used.

2. EDTA specimens can be collected any time from Monday to Thursday and only before 12pm on Friday. Ensure specimens collected on Friday reach the GMP lab in Clayton before 3pm.

3. SA Pathology samples can be collected between Mon-Fri by 10:00am. Collect 20ml EDTA Whole blood. Register as MISCH. Notify Special Haematology on ext 43490. Samples must reach Special Haematology by 2:00pm to prepare sendout. Transport at R/T. 

Please notify the Chemical Pathologist of the collection and when it is sent to the laboaratory

Plain urine pot

Plain 70ml urine pot

Plain urine pot

Do not remove lid

Do not use tourniquet where possible

Do not use tourniquet where possible

10 mL conical tube (yellow cap) or sterile urine pot  (yellow cap) can be used to collect the saliva.

Clean teeth 1 hour before collecting sample (about 10 PM)

Nothing to eat for the next hour, do not wear lipstick.

Between 11 PM and midnight collect sample by the following procedure. Clear throat and swallow, and empty mouth, then commence chewing action on teeth or straw if provided. / open mouth, lift tongue up and breathe in (this helps stimulate saliva production).

Dribble free flowing saliva into the tube provided.

3- 4 mL of saliva is required

Please repeat this for two nights in a row.

Write the date and time of collection on the tube.

Keep sample(s) at home in the refrigerator and bring all together into Pathology the day after sample 2 is collected.

A straw may be given to the patient to chew on to stimulate the flow of saliva.

The mouth should be free of mucus or other material prior to commencing the collection of the saliva.

Preparation before collection

Label the tube with your full name, date of birth, date and time of collection (including PM or AM)

Relax for approximately 1 hour (high activity or excitement can raise your cortisol level)

Do not eat or drink (except water) for 30 minutes

Collection

Remove the cap of the tube by pushing it slightly to the side

Do not remove the sponge holder (if it is dislodged, push it back into the tube)

Tip the sponge directly into your mouth. Do not touch the sponge with your fingers.

Very gently chew and roll the sponge in your mouth for 2 minutes.

When finish, hold the saturated sponge with your front teeth and return the sponge directly into the tube holder without touching it.

Close the tube firmly with the cap. Keep the sample in the fridge prior to delivering it to your closest Monash Health Pathology collection centre.

Sample volume MUST be 5 mL or sample will be rejected and recollection requested. Enquires to Chemical Pathologist. Ext 44522

>8hrs post dose.

Must be pre booked by requesting doctor to the Duty Biochemist Ext: 44525. DO NOT BOOK ON MONDAY OR FRIDAY.

Send in red bag marked Urgent

Sample volume MUST be 5 mL or sample will be rejected and recollection requested. Enquires to Chemical Pathologist. Ext 44522

Must be collected at least 8hrs post dose.

Must be pre booked by requesting doctor to the Duty Biochemist Ext: 44525. DO NOT BOOK ON MONDAY OR FRIDAY.

Send in red bag marked Urgent

1. LEUKAEMIA PATIENTS (Bone Marrow Transplant): 12mL EDTA.

Donor 12mL EDTA. Paediactric 2-12ml EDTA

2. RENAL PATIENTS (Renal transplant) 12mL EDTA + 1x6 mL Serum (no gel)

Donor 36mL EDTA.

3. PLATELET REFRACTIONATION - Patient 8mL  ACD or EDTA + 2x6mL Serum (no gel).

The sample must be received by VTIS on a weekday within 24 hrs from collection, and thus should only be collected from Sun 1400 -  Fri 1000.

1. LEUKAEMIA PATIENTS (Bone Marrow Transplant): 12mL EDTA.

Donor 12mL EDTA. Paediactric 2-12ml EDTA

2. RENAL PATIENTS (Renal transplant) 12mL EDTA + 1x6 mL Serum (no gel)

Donor 36mL EDTA.

3. PLATELET REFRACTIONATION - Patient 8mL  ACD or EDTA + 2x6mL Serum (no gel).

On going monitoring: 12 ml

4. HLA VERIFICATION and LYMPHOCYTE CROSSMATCH

Recipient: 30 ml ACD and 6 ml Serum (no gel)

Donor: 30ml ACD

The sample must be received by VTIS on a weekday within 24 hrs from collection, and thus should only be collected from Sun 1400 -  Fri 1000.

1. LEUKAEMIA PATIENTS (Bone Marrow Transplant): 12mL EDTA.

Donor 12mL EDTA. Paediactric 2-12ml EDTA

2. RENAL PATIENTS (Renal transplant) 12mL ACD + 1x9mL Serum (no gel)

Donor 36mL EDTA.

3. PLATELET REFRACTIONATION - Patient 8mL  ACD or EDTA + 2x9mL Serum (no gel).

The sample must be received by VTIS on a weekday within 24 hrs from collection, and thus should only be collected from Sun 1400 -  Fri 1000.

1. LEUKAEMIA PATIENTS (Bone Marrow Transplant): 12mL EDTA.

Donor 12mL EDTA. Paediactric 2-12ml EDTA

2. RENAL PATIENTS (Renal transplant) 12mL EDTA + 1x6 mL Serum (no gel)

Donor 36mL EDTA.

3. PLATELET REFRACTIONATION - Patient 8mL  ACD or EDTA + 2x6mL Serum (no gel).

The sample must be received by VTIS on a weekday within 24 hrs from collection, and thus should only be collected from Sun 1400 -  Fri 1000.

1. LEUKAEMIA PATIENTS (Bone Marrow Transplant): 2x9mL ACD.

Donor 2x9mL ACD.

2. RENAL PATIENTS (Renal transplant) 4x9mL ACD + 1x9mL Serum (no gel)

Donor 4x9mL ACD.

3. PLATELET REFRACTIONATION - Patient 2x9mL ACD + 2x9mL Serum (no gel).

The sample must be received by VTIS on a weekday within 24 hrs from collection, and thus should only be collected from Sun 1400 -  Fri 1000.

1. LEUKAEMIA PATIENTS (Bone Marrow Transplant): 12mL EDTA.

Donor 12mL EDTA. Paediactric 2-12ml EDTA

2. RENAL PATIENTS (Renal transplant) 12mL ACD + 1x9mL Serum (no gel)

Donor 36mL EDTA.

3. PLATELET REFRACTIONATION - Patient 8mL  ACD or EDTA + 2x9mL Serum (no gel).

The sample must be received by VTIS on a weekday within 24 hrs from collection, and thus should only be collected from Sun 1400 -  Fri 1000.

2x9 mL ACD is required for adults and children. If unable to obtain a blood sample an Oracollect buccal swab may be used, however blood is the preferred sample as you are guaranteed a result, swabs are sometimes unsuccessful (Oracollect buccal swabs and collection instructions may be obtained from cytogenetics, phone 9594 4124).

Most samples may be collected at any time. Store unspun at room temperature until despatching to VTIS.Samples for Full Class I or II HLA typing must be received by VTIS on a weekday within 24 hrs from collection, and thus should only be collected from Sun 1400 -  Fri 1000.

For further information regarding sample collection - phone VTIS on 9694 0354.

2x3 mL EDTA is required for adults and children. If unable to obtain a blood sample an Oracollect buccal swab may be used, however blood is the preferred sample as you are guaranteed a result, swabs are sometimes unsuccessful (Oracollect buccal swabs and collection instructions may be obtained from cytogenetics, phone 9594 4124).

Most samples may be collected at any time. Store unspun at room temperature until despatching to VTIS.Samples for Full Class I or II HLA typing must be received by VTIS on a weekday within 24 hrs from collection, and thus should only be collected from Sun 1400 -  Fri 1000.

For further information regarding sample collection - phone VTIS on 9694 0354.

deliver to lab within 2 hours of finish of collection for acidification. (If unable to deliver to lab within this period pre-acidify collection bottle with 10 mL 50% HCl.)

Only Tissue or DRY swab can be sent

A swab in UTM/VTM will be rejected by the testing Laboratory

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

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.

Preferred collection: Monday to Friday between 0900-1600 hours.

Please answer question if patient is immunosuppressed.

If non-MBS then non CMBS test

DO NOT STORE IN FRIDGE BEFORE SENDING

A combined nasopharyngeal and throat swab should be collected. Testing of lower tract infections (eg sputum, endotracheal aspirate, bronchoscopy specimen) when available is recommended when COVID-19 is suspected.

A combined nasopharyngeal and throat swab should be collected. Testing of lower tract infections (eg sputum, endotracheal aspirate, bronchoscopy specimen) when available is recommended when COVID-19 is suspected.

Saliva samples for SARS-CoV-2 PCR are NOT to be used for routine diagnostic use.They are only indicated in certain situations,including high-frequency testing of individuals in a defined target population group (eg.asymptomatic staff screening as directed by Infection Prevention).Saliva swabs are less sensitive than nasal/oropharyngeal swabs for detecting SARS -COV-2.If symptomatic,a combined nasal/oropharyngeal swab should be collected instead.

6 mL of blood is the absolute minimum volume required.

Collect samples Monday to Thursday only as the sample must reach the external laboratory within 3 days.

Sample should be collected between 15 minutes and 3 hours after the suspected anaphylactic event.

Serum only

Sample should be collected between 15 minutes and 3 hours after the suspected anaphylactic event.

Increased levels of Tryptase can normally be detected up to 3 to 6 hours after the anaphylactic reaction. Levels return to normal within 12—14 hours after release.

Can only be collected between 0830 hrs and 1800 hrs.

Not suitable as a pre registration request. Do not register on Preorder. Return a copy of the request with the phlebotemy lists. 

Special tube available from Biochemistry.

 Add 3 mL of blood to the tube and send to the lab immediately on ice.

(1 mL tube is available on request)

Can only be collected between 0830 hrs and 1800 hrs

Fasting Vitamin C collection may be required for some patients

Special tube available from Biochemistry

 Add 3 mL of blood to the tube and send to the lab immediately on ice

(1 mL tube is available on request)