Pathology Specimen Handbook

Medication Profile

Notify the laboratory if the test is urgent as this test is now referred to an external provider.

Please note that for coeliac serology, only TTG antibodies testing will be performed. Further EMA testing will automatically be performed by the laboratory, if indicated, based on the TTG antibodies result. If you wish to specifically request EMA testing, please liaise with the laboratory directly.

Please note that for coeliac serology, only TTG antibody testing will be performed. Further DGP testing will be performed by the laboratory if the TTG antibody result is indeterminate due to an IgA deficiency. If you wish to specifically request DGP antibodies, please liaise with the laboratory directly.

(a) Preferred collection time is 3-4 hrs post injection / tablet - consult with clinical haematologist

(b) MANDATORY: Please note heparin type on request slip

(a) Preferred collection time is 3-4 hrs post injection / tablet - consult with clinical haematologist

(b) MANDATORY: Please note heparin/anti-Xa type on request slip

PAXgene collections: collect via butterflies instead of a vacutainer due to the possible backflow of liquid inside the PAXgene if a vacutainer is used. 

Collections for BCR ABL testing must be collected in a separate dedicated sterile tube and must NOT be put through any analysers. 

Tube handling must be minimized to prevent contamination.

If using a PAXgene tube also collect an additional 9mL EDTA whole blood sample. If PAXgene tubes are not available then collect only 1 x 9mL EDTA tube.

Test must be performed within 48 hours of specimen collection. Do not collect blood or bone marrow for this test on days preceding public holidays. Collections on Fridays or days preceeding a public holiday must arrive at the Clayton laboratory by 12pm. Samples collected after 12pm on a Friday or a day preceeding a public holiday or on a Saturday will not be accepted.

Test requests for rare translocations are referred to SA Pathology and these samples must be accompanied by a completed referral form, link below:

https://www.sapathology.sa.gov.au/testcatfiles/PUB-0556.pdf

Collections for BCR ABL testing must be collected in a separate dedicated sterile tube and must NOT be put through any analysers. 

Tube handling must be minimized to prevent contamination.

If using a PAXgene tube also always collect an additional 9mL EDTA whole blood sample.

If PAXgene tubes are not available then collect only 1 x 9mL EDTA tube.

PAXgene collections: collect via butterflies instead of a vacutainer due to the possible backflow of liquid inside the PAXgene if a vacutainer is used. 

Test must be performed within 48 hours of specimen collection. Do not collect blood or bone marrow for this test on days preceding public holidays/long weekends. Collections on Fridays or days preceding a public holiday/long weekend must arrive at the Clayton laboratory by 12pm. Samples collected after 12pm on a Friday or a day preceding a public holiday/long weekend or on a Saturday will not be accepted.

Test requests for rare translocations are referred to SA Pathology and these samples must be accompanied by a completed referral form, link below:

https://www.sapathology.sa.gov.au/testcatfiles/PUB-0556.pdf

PAXgene collections: collect via butterflies instead of a vacutainer due to the possible backflow of liquid inside the PAXgene if a vacutainer is used. 

Collections for BCR ABL testing must be collected in a separate dedicated sterile tube and must NOT be put through any analysers. 

Tube handling must be minimized to prevent contamination.

If using a PAXgene tube also collect an additional 9mL EDTA whole blood sample. If PAXgene tubes are not available then collect 1 x 9mL EDTA tube.

Test must be performed within 48 hours of specimen collection. Do not collect blood or bone marrow for this test on days preceding public holidays. Collections on Fridays or days preceeding a public holiday must arrive at the Clayton laboratory by 12pm. Samples collected after 12pm on a Friday or a day preceeding a public holiday or on a Saturday will not be accepted.

Test requests for rare translocations are referred to SA Pathology and these samples must be accompanied by a completed referral form, link below:

https://www.sapathology.sa.gov.au/testcatfiles/PUB-0556.pdf

PAXgene collections: collect via butterflies instead of a vacutainer due to the possible backflow of liquid inside the PAXgene if a vacutainer is used. 

Collections for BCR ABL testing must be collected in a separate dedicated sterile tube and must NOT be put through any analysers. 

Tube handling must be minimized to prevent contamination.

If using a PAXgene tube also collect an additional 9mL EDTA whole blood sample. If PAXgene tubes are not available then collect only 1 x 9mL EDTA tube.

Test must be performed within 48 hours of specimen collection. Do not collect blood or bone marrow for this test on days preceding public holidays. Collections on Fridays or days preceeding a public holiday must arrive at the Clayton laboratory by 12pm. Samples collected after 12pm on a Friday or a day preceeding a public holiday or on a Saturday will not be accepted.

Test requests for rare translocations are referred to SA Pathology and these samples must be accompanied by a completed referral form, link below:

https://www.sapathology.sa.gov.au/testcatfiles/PUB-0556.pdf

PAXgene collections: collect via butterflies instead of a vacutainer due to the possible backflow of liquid inside the PAXgene if a vacutainer is used. 

Collections for BCR ABL testing must be collected in a separate dedicated sterile tube and must NOT be put through any analysers. 

Tube handling must be minimized to prevent contamination.

If using a PAXgene tube also collect an additional 9mL EDTA whole blood sample. If PAXgene tubes are not available then collect 1 x 9mL EDTA tube.

Test must be performed within 48 hours of specimen collection. Do not collect blood or bone marrow for this test on days preceding public holidays. Collections on Fridays must arrive at the Clayton laboratory by 2pm and samples collected after this or on a Saturday will not be accepted.

Test requests for rare translocations are referred to SA Pathology and these samples must be accompanied by a completed referral form, link below:

https://www.sapathology.sa.gov.au/testcatfiles/PUB-0556.pdf

PAXgene collections: collect via butterflies instead of a vacutainer due to the possible backflow of liquid inside the PAXgene if a vacutainer is used. 

Collections for BCR ABL testing must be collected in a separate dedicated sterile tube and must NOT be put through any analysers. 

Tube handling must be minimized to prevent contamination.

If using a PAXgene tube also collect an additional 9mL EDTA whole blood sample. If PAXgene tubes are not available then collect 1 x 9mL EDTA tube.

Test must be performed within 48 hours of specimen collection. Do not collect blood or bone marrow for this test on days preceding public holidays. Collections on Fridays or days preceeding a public holiday must arrive at the Clayton laboratory by 12pm. Samples collected after 12pm on a Friday or a day preceeding a public holiday or on a Saturday will not be accepted.

Test requests for rare translocations are referred to SA Pathology and these samples must be accompanied by a completed referral form, link below:

https://www.sapathology.sa.gov.au/testcatfiles/PUB-0556.pdf

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 is a time critical test. Please liaise with the immunopathologist on-call before ordering or collection. 

Tuesday early morning only.

Please note that for coeliac serology, only TTG antibody testing will be performed, with further antibody testing to be performed by the laboratory, based on the result. If you wish to specifically request  DGP or EMA antibodies, please liaise with the laboratory directly.   

This is a send-out test

Note that this test is not MBS rebatable.

Collect 1 x 3mL EDTA Blood

Collect 1 x 8mL EDTA Blood

Please contact the Microbiology Depeartment (44565) when a Gastric Aspirate for Mycobacterial studies is being collected as the sample must be processed within 2 HOURS of collection.

All serology tests require a dedicated serum tube

Hepatitis A Total Antibody (Immunity Screen):

Retesting is not required within 7 days or if IgG has previously been detected.

Sample must be collected after midday on Mon-Thurs only (avoid collection on a public holiday or public holiday eve), in order to ensure it arrives at the Royal Children's Hospital within 24 hours of collection.

Clinicians should request an FBE at the same time.

If an FBE is not requested, please collect an EDTA (2mL minimum).

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 in-house Flow assay. 

Specimens must be collected after 1pm Monday - Thursday, and sent immediately to Clayton Pathology Reception. It must reach the Royal Children's Hospital before 11am the following morning, no later than 24 hours from collection.  Avoid collection the day prior to public holidays. 

Clinicians should request an FBE at the same time.

If an FBE is not requested, please collect an EDTA (2mL minimum).

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 in-house Flow assay. 

The test does not need a consent form if ordered by a clinical geneticist or a neurologist when the test is for confirmation.

Should microbiology be required, take swabs before sending the specimen to histopathology.

As of 1st Janaury 2025 a 'Placenta Pathology: Information for Request' from must be completed and arrive with the specimen.

Should microbiology be required, take swabs before sending the specimen to histopathology.

As of 1st Janaury 2025 a 'Placenta Pathology: Information for Request' from must be completed and sent with the specimen. Specimens without this form will not be accepted for testing.

Should microbiology be required, take swabs before sending the specimen to histopathology

Should microbiology be required, take swabs before sending the specimen to histopathology.

As of 1st Janaury 2025 a 'Placenta Pathology: Information for Request' from must be completed and arrive with the specimen.

(a) Full platelet aggregation studies must be approved by a haematologist. 

(b) Only available at Clayton Campus from 9am - 1pm, Mon-Fri, MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE WITH LAB OTHERWISE MAY NOT BE PERFORMED (Phone 95946751) 

(c) Tests for Paitents <1 year old must be approved by Paediactric Haematologist.

(d) Blood collection - Patient ; Collect 4 X 3.5 mL Citrate tubes - Controls ; Collect 3 x 3.5 mL Citrate tubes on a donor staff member (no medication during last 7 days). Place 'do not spin' stickers on the tube. Not to be sent via pneumatic tube.

Not suitable for pre-registration

(A) Only available at Clayton Campus. THIS TEST MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE WITH THE LAB. Please phone 9594 6751 BEFORE COLLECTION to ensure patient is booked.

(B) ALL REQUESTS FOR PLATELET AGGREGATION STUDIES (not PFA screening) IN PATIENTS <18yr MUST BE APPROVED BY A HAEMATOLOGIST PRIOR TO COLLECTION. Contact Haematology Laboratory Registrars on 9594 4340.

(C) Blood collection - Patient: Collect 4 x 3.5 mL Citrate tubes. Controls: Collect 3 x 3.5 mL Citrate tubes on a donor staff member (no medication during last 10 days). Place 'do not spin' stickers on the tube. Not to be sent via pneumatic tube.

Not suitable for pre-registration.

Record date and time of last dose on request form.

DEDICATED EDTA REQUIRED.

Collect a trough sample (pre-dose) each time.

When to monitor posaconazole level?

Blood samples should be taken when a steady state has reached.

For oral dose: 7-10 days after starting/changing therapy.

For IV:  5 days after starting or making a dose change.

Refer to Monash PROMPT posaconazole guideline for details: 

Posaconazole Paediatric Medication Profile

Posaconazole Adult Medication Profile

This is a Sendout test with turnaround times 3 x weekly. For urgent tests please phone the laboratory

Serology for COVID-19 should only be ordered with appropriate clinical presentation. Please refer to Public Health Laboratory Network Guidance for serological testing in COVID-19 or contact the Microbiology registrar to discuss.

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/08/phln-guidance-for-serological-testing-in-covid-19-phln-guidance-on-serological-testing-in-covid-19.pdf

Specimens must be collected between the hours of 2pm on Mondays to 8.30am on Tuesdays and sent immediately to Clayton Pathology Reception for courier to reach The Royal Children's Hospital before 11am on Tuesdays only, no later than 24 hours from collection. 

Please note, this test is indicated for the exclusion of primary immunodeficiency only. Reconsider ordering in the context of organ transplantation or secondary immunodeficiency, including patients on immunosuppressants. 

Please note, this test is indicated for the exclusion of primary immunodeficiency only. Reconsider ordering in the context of organ transplantation or secondary immunodeficiency, including patients on immunosuppressants.

This test is only performed on Tuesday, with special collection and transport requirements. Please liaise with the Immunopathologist On-call prior to request or collection.

Specimens must be collected after 1pm Monday - Thursday, and sent immediately to Clayton Pathology Reception. It must reach the Royal Children's Hospital before 11am the following morning, no later than 24 hours from collection. Avoid collection the day prior to public holidays.

Please request an FBE, or collect an EDTA (0.5mL minimum) sample if no FBE is requested 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 in-house Flow assay.

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.

Specimens must be collected after 1pm Monday - Thursday, and sent immediately to Clayton Pathology Reception. It must reach the Royal Children's Hospital before 11am the following morning, no later than 24 hours from collection. Avoid collection the day prior to public holidays.

Please collect an EDTA (0.5mL minimum) sample if no FBE is requested  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 in-house Flow assay.