Pathology Specimen Handbook

Propylene tubes MUST be used for collection.

Glass and CSF tubes should not be used. Do not transfer CSF from regular CSF tubes.

Retrospective analysis unsuitable.

Refer to infomation sheet prior to collection. (DB handbook -Referred tests)

Non rebatable test.

DO NOT FREEZE 

Non rebatable test

Collect on ice and keep cold until analysis

The sample has to be analysed within 3 hours of collection

For Casey, Moorabbin and Wonthaggi collections, check with the laboratory before collecting to ensure the sample is collected before the courier run to MMC or DH

Collect on ice and keep cold until analysis

The sample has to be analysed within 3 hours of collection

For Casey, Moorabbin and Wonthaggi collections, check with the laboratory before collecting to ensure the sample is collected before the courier run to MMC or Dandenong Hospital

The sample has to be analysed within 3 hours of collection

For Casey, Moorabbin and Wonthaggi collections, check with the laboratory before collecting to ensure the sample is collected before the courier run to MMC or DH

Collect on ice and keep cold until analysis

The sample has to be analysed within 3 hours of collection

For Casey, Moorabbin and Wonthaggi collections, check with the laboratory before collecting to ensure the sample is collected before the courier run to MMC or DH

(a) Preferred collection time is 3-4 hrs post injection / tablet - consult with clinical haematologist (b) 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 type on request slip

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 2x3mL EDTA tubes for adults and children for HLA-B27.

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.

If the Duty Biochemist says the test is for exposure to cyanide and not for hypertension and nitroprusside therapy then collect as soon as possible after atmospheric exposure or ideally two hours after ingestion.

Collect Serum 5 mL red top for Thiocyanate.

Non-CMBS test

If the Duty Biochemist says the test is for exposure to cyanide and not for hypertension and nitroprusside therapy then collect as soon as possible after atmospheric exposure or ideally two hours after ingestion.

Collect Serum 5 mL gold top for Thiocyanate.

Non-CMBS test

Method obsolete - mononuclear cells collection for this trial no longer available.

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

MUST be non gel lithium heparin tube

Collect trough (pre-dose) level 

Must be non-gel lithium heparin tube

Collect 2 EDTA tubes just before the next dose (trough collection) at least 48 hours after initiation or dose change (to reach steady state).

Measure trough levels at least 48-hours following initiation or dose change of linezolid

Specimen Types:

lesion Fluid/Tissue

lesion crust or skin biopsy

Nasopharyngeal swab

throat swab

5 mL of EDTA and 10 mL of serum is recommended

For collectors and pathology transport staff: Samples must be transported DOUBLE-BAGGED. The patient request form or printed EMR request with details of the tests required and specimen type/site of collection should be placed in the pouch of the outer specimen bag.

Specimen collection is performed by team treating the patient. 

Swab from skin lesions/rash is preferred specimen type

Sterile dry swab (no liquid or gel transport media in collection tube) from multiple active skin lesions. Two swabs from morphologically distinct lesions and/or anatomical locations should be collected.

Swabs in liquid media should be avoided as this may dilute the specimen and increase the risk of leakage during transport. If swabs have already been placed into suitable transport medium (for example, viral transport media) these can still be tested.

If testing for other viral pathogens (eg. Enterovirus, varicella zoster virus, herpes simplex virus) or bacterial MCS is required a separate specimen/swab should be collected.

Nasopharyngeal/throat swab may be collected (but is not the preferred specimen site)

Blood may be considered in specific cases. Whole blood or serum specimens can be tested to detect the presence of monkeypox virus. However, these have low sensitivity for detection due to the transient nature of viraemia, and therefore should not be used to exclude monkeypox. A minimum of 5 mL of EDTA whole blood or 10 mL of serum is recommended.

Collect specimen prior to dose. Record the dosage, date and time of last dose.

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

Collect specimen prior to dose. Record the dosage, date and time of last dose

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

Continue to use the Austin form

Put into dry ice immediately upon collection. (ie. at site of collection)

Requires QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Blood Collection Tubes set of four.

Collect 1 mL into each tube. Use black sqaure on label for reference. Refer to photograph for order of draw and volume indication. Mix gently by turning tube end-over end X10 ensuring that the entire inner surface of the tube has been coated in blood.

EMR and MediPATH labels can be adhered to the QGT tubes in ANY order. All 4 x tubes MUST be labelled. Microbiology staff will process the samples according to tube type/colour.

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

Requires QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Blood Collection Tubes set of four.

Collect eactly 1 mL into each tube. Testing cannot be performed if incorrect volume is collected.

Use black sqaure on label for reference. Refer to photograph for order of draw and volume indication. Mix gently by turning tube end-over end X10 ensuring that the entire inner surface of the tube has been coated in blood.

EMR and MediPATH labels can be adhered to the QGT tubes in ANY order. All 4 x tubes MUST be labelled. Microbiology staff will process the samples according to tube type/colour.

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

Instructions for requesting doctor:

1. This is a sendaway test that must be booked in advance by the requesting doctor with Westmead Laboratory (P: 02 9845 3302). 

2. The requesting doctor must fill Requisition Form  located at: 

Instructions for collection staff:

1. Contact Specimen Reception (Ph: 9594 4538) before collecting the sample.

2. Collect sample only on Monday before 10:00am. Do not spin or separate. Keep at room temperature at all times.

Instructions for requesting doctor:

1. This is a sendaway test that must be booked in advance by the requesting doctor with Westmead Laboratory (P: 02 9845 3302). 

2. The requesting doctor must fill Requisition Form  located at: 

https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/cmri-assets/resources/Telomere-Length-Testing-at-CHW.pdf

Instructions for collection staff:

1. Contact Specimen Reception (Ph: 9594 4538) before collecting the sample.

2. Collect sample only on Monday before 10:00am. Do not spin or separate. Keep at room temperature at all times.

Instructions for requesting doctor:

1. This is a sendaway test that must be booked in advance by the requesting doctor with Westmead Laboratory (P: 02 9845 3302). 

2. The requesting doctor must fill Requisition Form  located at: http://www.palms.com.au/clinical/FLOW_FISH_Telomere_request_form_CHW.pdf

Instructions for collection staff:

1. Contact Specimen Reception (Ph: 9594 4538) before collecting the sample.

2. Collect sample only on Monday before 10:00am. Do not spin or separate. Keep at room temperature at all times.

Instructions for requesting doctor:

1. This is a sendaway test that must be booked in advance by the requesting doctor with Westmead Laboratory (P: 02 9845 3302). 

2. The requesting doctor must fill Requisition Form  located at: 

Instructions for collection staff:

1. Contact Specimen Reception (Ph: 9594 4538) before collecting the sample.

2. Collect sample only on Monday before 10:00am. Do not spin or separate. Keep at room temperature at all times.