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

Sample MUST be delivered to the laboratory BEFORE 11AM as it  is required to be delivered the same day.

A NORMAL CONTROL blood, not the patients' blood, must also be collected and sent with the patient blood clearly labled as NORMAL CONTROL BLOOD.

Please note that this is an appointment only test, and must be discussed with the Immunopathologist On-call prior to request. 

Sample MUST be delivered to the laboratory BEFORE 11AM as it  is required to be delivered the same day.

A HEALTHY CONTROL blood, not the patients' blood, must also be collected and sent with the patient blood clearly labled as HEALTHY CONTROL BLOOD, as per further instructions from the laboratory. 

Obtain a National Dementia Diagnostics Laboratory (NDDL)
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Specimen Data Sheet form and CJD tube from Microbiology Clayton.

A miminum volume of 2.5ml is required. 

CSF must be clear and colourless and NOT spun

Specimen requirements for gene testing are listed under PRION PROTEIN GENE testing.

A miminum volume of 2.5ml is required. 

CSF must be clear and colourless and NOT spun

Specimen requirements for gene testing are listed under PRION PROTEIN GENE testing.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Please request and 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.

Whole Blood Lead must be collected directly into a separate tube.

Do not transfer blood from other tubes.

Clinical notes essential.

Clinical notes essential.

P-6-C needs to be specifically requested for reporting. 

(It is done as part of the urine metabolic screen but not routinely reported). 

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.

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.