Pathology Specimen Handbook

Gel tubes are not suitable for analysis.

Please note that this test is no longer available. 

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

Non-CMBS test

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.

This a send-out test to Queensland Pathology.

This a send-out test to Queensland Pathology.

Dexamethasone Suppression test requests should be referred to the Chemical Pathologist.

MBS-funded. Must be requested by a specialist or consultant physician.

MBS-funded. Must be requested by a specialist or consultant physician.

MBS-funded. Must be requested by a specialist or consultant physician.

Collect 1 x 3mL EDTA Blood

Collect 1 x 8mL EDTA Blood

Please note: HPV PCR is only available for samples collected from mucosal membranes or genital sites. Specimens from superficial sites are no longer suitable for this assay.

Please note: HPV PCR is only available for samples collected from mucosal membranes or genital sites with clinical presentation of lesions. Specimens from superficial sites are no longer suitable for this assay. 

Request must be discussed with on-call Immunologist prior to collection.

This test is not covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule. The patient will be responsible for the cost of the test and will be sent a bill directly from the referral laboratory.

A "Consent for Payment" form must be signed by the patient before collection. Please note: This consent form is not required for hospital inpatients or clinical trials patients.

The current cost of the test is $28 (as of 19/03/2025). Please note that this may change.

A dedicated tube is required for this test.

This test is no longer available. Please contact the Immunopathologist on-call or the Immunology Laboratory for any questions.

Lp(a) Test is not Medicare rebatable.

Collect 4-5 mL blood in EDTA tube ( keep on ice) at following times (according to treatment plan in protocol):

-Baseline (Prior to mitotane) or at 1 week

-2 weeks (after dose increase)

-4 weeks

-then every 2-4 weeks (until a therapeutic plasma level is achieved)

-then every 2-3 months

Note: samples should be collected prior to that day's treatment (for trough level assessment)

Supplied by Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital.

Mitotane Plasma request form must be filled out prior to collection.

Refer to Chemical Pathologist.

Collect 4-5 mL blood in EDTA tube ( keep on ice) at following times (according to treatment plan in protocol):

-Baseline (Prior to mitotane) or at 1 week

-2 weeks (after dose increase)

-4 weeks

-then every 2-4 weeks (until a therapeutic plasma level is achieved)

-then every 2-3 months

Note: samples should be collected prior to that day's treatment (for trough level assessment)

Supplied by Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital.

Must be a separate collection tube for moleculoar testing

Must be a separate collection tube for molecular testing.

CSF must be collected into special tubes (available from the Chemical Pathologist) and placed immediately into dry ice.

CSF must be collected into special tubes (available from the Chemical Pathologist) and placed immediately into dry ice.

Refer all requests to Chemical Pathologist for special tubes.

CSF must be collected into special tubes (available from the Chemical Pathologist) and placed immediately into dry ice.

CSF must be collected into special tubes (available from the Chemical Pathologist) and placed immediately into dry ice.

(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.

If a karyotype is required please collect in heparin. For all other tests ie microarray and molecular tests please collect in EDTA tube.

VCGS is changing the way that its takes payment for prepair 3:

When the sample arrives at VCGS, patients will recieve an SMS to arrange payment.

Please ensure the patients' MOBILE NUMBER is included on the form.

Cost: $389 or bulk billed (no cost) for Medicare eligible patients (#73451).

If the patient is not eligible for medicare, when the sample arrives at VCGS, patients will recieve an SMS to arrange payment hence please ensure the patient's phone number is on the request form.

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

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.

For acute settings, to help in the diagnosis of anaphylaxis, samples should be collected between 30 minutes and 4 hours after the suspected anaphylactic event. Where possible, a baseline sample is also recommended, for collection at least 24-48 hours following resolution of all allergic symptoms.

For the exclusion or monitoring of mast cell disorders, samples are best collected more than one week after resolution of any suspected allergic events.

Please note that sample viability is 7 days at 4oC, and 24 hours at room temperature. Add-on requests beyond this time frame are not possible.

When both Y chromosome microdeletion and karyotype is requested, please collect an EDTA for the Y chromosome microdeletion assay and a LithHep sample for the karyotyping request.

When both Y chromosome microdeletion and karyotype is requested, please collect a 4mL EDTA blood sample for the Y chromosome microdeletion assay and a LithHep sample for the karyotyping request.

When both Y chromosome microdeletion and karyotype is requested, please collect an EDTA and a LithHep sample.

When both Y chromosome microdeletion and karyotype is requested, please collect an EDTA for the Y chromosome microdeletion assay and a LithHep sample for the karyotyping request.