Pathology Specimen Handbook

This is a FISH test which must be ordered by a pathologist. Testing is performed on FFPE tissue sections organised through histopathology by cytogenetics when requested by a pathologist.

Concurrent LOH testing is undertaken by the Genetics and Molecular pathology laboratory

This is a FISH test which must be ordered by a pathologist. Testing is performed on FFPE tissue sections organised through histopathology by cytogenetics when requested by a pathologist.

Please note recent change in test code to ATS13A (and ATS13AU for urgent requests) 16.10.23.

Attached form to accompany all ADAMTS-13 activity requests.

https://monashpathology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/FOR-HE-147.pdf

Non CMBS test

Please note recent change in test code to ATS13A (and ATS13AU for urgent requests) 16.10.23.

Attached form to accompany all ADAMTS-13 activity requests.

https://monashpathology.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/FOR-HE-147.pdf

Non-CMBS test - $185 for a routine test, $350 if an urgent (same day) result is required.

This is a FISH test which must be ordered by a pathologist. Testing is performed on FFPE tissue sections organised through histopathology by cytogenetics when requested by a pathologist if indicated following ALK IHC testing.

If IHC is 3+, ALK FISH testing will be performed concurrently with EGFR testing by the Genetics and Molecular pathology laboratory. If IHC is less than 3, ALK FISH testing will only be undertaken if EGFR result is negative.

This is a FISH test which must be ordered by a pathologist. Testing is performed on FFPE tissue sections organised through histopathology by cytogenetics when requested by a pathologist if indicated following ALK IHC testing.

This test is not covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule.  The patient will be responsible for the cost of the test.

A "Consent for Payment" form must be signed by the patient before collection (Form FOR-CN-96).  Please note:  This consent form is not required for "Hospital In-Patients".

Contact Immunology 9594 3587 for further information.

CSF: minimum volume of 0.5mL

Please note CSF testing for GQ1b autoantibodies is not currently available in Australia.

Tuesdays early mornings only.

Specimen must be collected by 8.30am and sent immediately to Pathology Reception for courier to reach The Royal Children's Hospital before 11am on Tuesdays only.

Tuesdays early mornings only.

Specimen must be collected by 8.30am and sent immediately to Pathology Reception for courier to reach The Royal Children's Hospital before 11am on Tuesdays only. 

This a send-out test to Queensland Pathology.

2x Tubes must be collected

This is a send-out test that requires the following steps:

1. Must screen with lactate gap first.

- Perform Paired Whole Blood Lactate on both ABL825 (Big Analyser) and ABL90 (Small Analyser) Blood Gas Analyser

- If ethylene glycol is present, ABL825 will give a falsely high lactate result compared to ABL90.

Test will only be sent if lactate gap is present.

2. Contact clinical toxicologist for approval.

- Name and contact details of the approving toxicologist and ordering clinician must be provided on the request slip.

3. If urgent sendout is required, contact Chemical Pathologist/Registrar.

Specimen required: 2x EDTA tubes (Purple Top). 

Factor XIII (F13) Non CMBS test

Factor XIII (F13) Non-CMBS test - $145

Random specimen

Unsable Haemoglobin / Unstable Hb / Isopropanol Precipitation Test

(a) Tests must be booked with Special Haematology lab PH 9594 3490.

(b) Samples must be collected on Mon - Thurs (preferably AM). DO NOT collect blood for this test on Fridays or days preceding public holiday. Samples MUST be transported at 4oC.

(c) Phone Special Haematology lab before collection on ext 43490.

(d) Adult Volume - 3 mL and Paediatric Volume - 2 mL. A separate dedicated EDTA tube is preferred. 

Hb H Preparation / Hb H inclusions

(a) Samples must be collected on Sun - Fri. Collections on Fridays must arrive at the Clayton laboratory by 1pm. DO NOT collect blood for this test on Saturdays or days preceding public holidays.

(b) Phoned Special Haematology lab before collection on ext 43490 (Mon - Fri).

Unstable Haemoglobin / Unstable Hb / Isopropanol Precipitation Test

(a) Tests must be booked with Special Haematology lab PH 9594 3490.

(b) Samples must be collected on Mon - Thurs (preferably AM). DO NOT collect blood for this test on Fridays or days preceding public holiday. Samples MUST be transported at 4oC.

(c) Phone Special Haematology lab before collection on ext 43490.

(d) Adult Volume - 3 mL and Paediatric Volume - 2 mL. A separate dedicated EDTA tube is preferred. 

Hb H Preparation / Hb H inclusions

(a) Samples must be collected on Sun - Fri. Collections on Fridays must arrive at the Clayton laboratory by 1pm. DO NOT collect blood for this test on Saturdays or days preceding public holidays.

(b) Phone Special Haematology lab before collection on ext 43490 (Mon - Fri).

Non CMBS test

ALL HIT testing to be approved by Haematologist

Non-CMBS test - $185 for a routine test, $285 if an urgent (same day) result is required.

ALL HIT testing to be approved by Haematologist

This is a FISH test which must be ordered by a pathologist. Testing is performed on FFPE tissue sections organised through histopathology by cytogenetics when requested by a pathologist.

Testing is performed in cases where IHC is 2+.

This is a FISH test which must be ordered by a pathologist. Testing is performed on FFPE tissue sections organised through histopathology by cytogenetics when requested by a pathologist.

Sample must be collected on Mon-Thurs only.  (Not on a public holiday or public holiday eve).

Sample must be received at the Royal Children's Hospital within 24 hours of collection.

Please collect an EDTA (2mL minimum) sample if no FBE tube is collected at the same time.

A single Heparin Whole Blood (no gel) tube (5mL adult / 2mL minimum) is sufficient to cover the following tests sent to RCH:

- High Sensitivity B cells

- HLA-DR expression

- Th17 cells

- T follicular helper cells (Tfh)

A separate Heparin Whole Blood (no gel) tube is required for the following tests:

- Lymphocyte Subsets (CD4 count) (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- Double Negative T-cells (DNT)  (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- Memory B-cells (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- Naive T-cells  (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- T-regulatory cells  (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- T cell proliferation (collect between 3pm on Mon to 830am on Tues) - Sent to RCH on Tuesdays only.

Sample must be collected after midday on Mon-Thurs only (avoid collection on a public holiday or public holiday eve).

Sample must be received at the Royal Children's Hospital within 24 hours of collection.

Please collect an EDTA (2mL minimum) sample if no FBE tube is collected at the same time.

A single Heparin Whole Blood (no gel) tube (5mL adult / 2mL minimum) is sufficient to cover the following tests sent to RCH:

- High Sensitivity B cells

- HLA-DR expression

- Th17 cells

- T follicular helper cells (Tfh)

A separate Heparin Whole Blood (no gel) tube is required for the following tests:

- Lymphocyte Subsets (CD4 count) (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- Double Negative T-cells (DNT)  (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- Memory B-cells (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- Naive T-cells  (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- T-regulatory cells  (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- T cell proliferation (collect between 3pm on Mon to 830am on Tues) - Sent to RCH on Tuesdays only.

Please collect 2x3mL EDTA tubes for adults and children for HLA-B27.  This test requires separate tubes and cannot be added onto an FBE tube.

Note that the Lithium Heparin tube indicated in EMR and in Medipath is out of date (as of 01/01/2023).  A request for these to be updated has been logged.  If a lithium heparin tube has been collected, please send to Immunology.  For further clarification, please contact the Immunology lab on 9594 3587 (x43587).

For Coeliac Disease HLA typing (HLADQ2 / HLADQ8), refer to COELIAC GENETIC TEST.

For HLA Tissue Typing (Transplant patients), refer to entry HLA TISSUE TYPING (TRANSPLANT PATIENTS)

For other HLA typing (including HLA B57), refer to entry HLA TYPING.

For Coeliac Disease HLA typing (HLADQ2 / HLADQ8), refer to COELIAC GENETIC TEST.

For HLA Tissue Typing (Transplant patients), refer to entry HLA TISSUE TYPING (TRANSPLANT PATIENTS)

For other HLA typing (including HLA B57), refer to entry HLA TYPING.

Please collect the specimen in a separate tube. The specimen must not be used for other testing. This is a DNA test and removal of specimen for other tests may cause the specimen to become contaminated. The same tube can be used for the JAK2 ex 12 test.

Please collect the specimen in a separate tube. The specimen must not be used for other testing. This is a DNA test and removal of specimen for other tests may cause the specimen to become contaminated. The same tube can be used for the JAK2 exon 12 test.

Samples collected close of business Friday or prior to public holidays, store 4C.

Samples collected close of business Friday or prior to public holidays, store at 4C.

Do NOT spin (centrifuge) or separate.

Specimen must be collected in a separate tube and must not be passed through an analyser. 

All immune function tests can be collected Monday to Friday anytime.  Saturday samples must be collected before 2pm.  Please send in RED BAG.

4 mL EDTA must be collected at the same time unless an FBE has been requested and collected at the same time.

For clarification please contact the Immunology Lab on 9594 3587 (x43587). 

For Monday to Friday collection only. Any exceptions to this must be discussed with the immunopathologist on-call.

Must be performed within 24 hours of collection.

All immune function tests can be collected Monday to Friday anytime.  Saturday samples must be collected before 2pm.  Please send in RED BAG.

4 mL EDTA must be collected at the same time unless an FBE has been requested and collected at the same time.

For clarification please contact the Immunology Lab on 9594 3587 (x43587). 

For Monday to Friday collection only. Any exceptions to this must be discussed with the immunopathologist on-call.

Must be performed within 24 hours of collection.

Please contact the Immunology Lab on 9594 3587 prior to collection/registration for confirmation.  This test is performed at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) by appointment only.

A minimum of 8mL blood must be collected in a lithium heparin tube.  A minimum of 0.5mL blood must be collected in an EDTA tube.

Please contact the Immunology Lab on 9594 3587 prior to collection/registration for confirmation.  This test is performed at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) by appointment only.

A minimum of 15mL blood must be collected in a lithium heparin tube.  A minimum of 0.5mL blood must be collected in an EDTA tube.

Non CMBS test

Non-CMBS test - $42

Non CMBS test

Non CMBS test - $121

Non CMBS test

Non-CMBS test - $88

Please note that PAI testing is not currently being offered at Monash Health Pathology. Please contact Special Coagulation lab on 9594 6751 for more information.

Sample must be collected on Mon-Thurs only.  (Not on a public holiday or public holiday eve).

Sample must be received at the Royal Children's Hospital within 24 hours of collection.

Please collect an EDTA (2mL minimum) sample if no FBE tube is collected at the same time.

A single Heparin Whole Blood (no gel) tube (5mL adult / 2mL minimum) is sufficient to cover the following tests sent to RCH:

- High Sensitivity B cells

- HLA-DR expression

- Th17 cells

- T follicular helper cells (Tfh)

A separate Heparin Whole Blood (no gel) tube is required for the following tests:

- Lymphocyte Subsets (CD4 count) (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- Double Negative T-cells (DNT)  (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- Memory B-cells (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- Naive T-cells  (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- T-regulatory cells  (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- T cell proliferation (collect between 3pm on Mon to 830am on Tues) - Sent to RCH on Tuesdays only.

Sample must be collected on Mon-Thurs only.  (Not on a public holiday or public holiday eve).

Sample must be received at the Royal Children's Hospital within 24 hours of collection.

Please collect an EDTA (0.5mL minimum) sample if no FBE tube is collected at the same time.

A single Heparin Whole Blood (no gel) tube (5mL adult / 2mL minimum) is sufficient to cover the following tests sent to RCH:

- High Sensitivity B cells

- HLA-DR expression

- Th17 cells

- T follicular helper cells (Tfh)

A separate Heparin Whole Blood (no gel) tube is required for the following tests:

- Lymphocyte Subsets (CD4 count) (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- Double Negative T-cells (DNT)  (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- Memory B-cells (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- Naive T-cells  (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- T-regulatory cells  (collect Mon-Sat) - Performed in-house

- T cell proliferation (collect between 3pm on Mon to 830am on Tues) - Sent to RCH on Tuesdays only.

This is a FISH test which must be ordered by a pathologist. Testing is performed on FFPE tissue sections organised through histopathology when requested.

Fresh tissue is not acceptable for this test. Testing will only be performed on FFPE slides.

This is a FISH test which must be ordered by a pathologist. Testing is performed on FFPE tissue sections organised through histopathology when requested.

Fresh tissue is not acceptable for this test. Testing will only be performed on FFPE slides by the external laboratory performing the test.

This is a FISH test which must be ordered by a pathologist. Testing is performed on FFPE tissue sections organised through histopathology when requested by a pathologist.

Fresh tissue is not acceptable for this test. Testing will only be performed on FFPE slides.

This is a FISH test which must be ordered by a pathologist. Testing is performed on FFPE tissue sections organised through histopathology when requested.

Fresh tissue is not acceptable for this test. Testing will only be performed on FFPE slides.

No fresh tissue is required for this request. Histopathology staff will cut spare sections of the paraffin embedded tissue and send for testing to cytogenetics.

This is a FISH test which must be ordered by a pathologist. Testing is performed on FFPE tissue sections organised through histopathology when requested by a pathologist.

Fresh tissue is not acceptable for this test. Testing will only be performed on FFPE slides.

This is a send away test for tumour cytogenetics on paediatric patients. A fresh specimen in RPMI medium is required for this request.

This is a send away test for tumour cytogenetics on paediatric patients. A fresh specimen in RPMI medium or normal saline is required for this request.

Frozen sample via the tissue bank are also accepted.