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Overview

 - Find a Procedure

 - Test Interpretation

 - Contact Numbers

General Information

 - Request forms

 - Labelling

 - Supplies

 - Blood: Order of Draw

Special Services

 - Domiciliary

 - Autologous Blood

 - Biopsy Services

 - Breath Tests

Preparation and Storage for Remote Areas

Retention of Specimens

Amendment Requests
Request Forms A variety of request forms with attachable labels are available for your use. These include:
  • Standard A5 IMVS pathology request forms
  • A4 forms for computer based programmes such as Medical Director

"PRE-PRINTED" forms are also available. These will have the requesting doctor's name and details already printed onto the form.

"REPEAT REQUEST" forms will have doctor's name and details and patients details and test request information. To receive these forms, place a tick in the "Repeat Request" box on the standard IMVS request form.

Packs of forms with attached plastic specimen bags (Pathopaks) and peel-off specimen tube barcode labels are available as are packs without bags.

Contact IMVS Consumer Products by telephone on 8222 3000, via email (Consumer.Products@imvs.sa.gov.au), or your nearest regional laboratory.


Labelling Requirements for Specimens The IMVS observes the NPAAC, NATA/RCPA and ASBT guidelines for the labelling of specimens.

Request form and specimens need to have:

Family name in full plus first forename in full, and one other identifier in the form of either the date of birth or a medical record number.

ASBT guidelines also recommend that any request forms for transfusion tests be signed by the person collecting the sample.

Pre-printed address labels

Pre-printed address labels can be used on diagnostic specimens and request forms. If a label is used for a transfusion related request, the signature or initials of the blood collector should appear on the label.


Supplies for Specimen Collection A wide range of products are available to assist you with your specimen collection requirements.

Contact IMVS Consumer Products by telephone on 8222 3000, via email (Consumer.Products@imvs.sa.gov.au), or your nearest regional laboratory.

Alternatively, IMVS couriers are able to assist you with any supply needs.


Blood: Order of Draw For optimal specimen quality when collecting blood for multiple tests, the following order for filling containers is recommended:

1. Sterile tubes (e.g. blood cultures)
2. Citrate tubes (blue tops)
3. Clotted bloods (white top)
4. Heparin tubes (green tops)
5. K-EDTA (purple tops)
6. Fluoride-EDTA (grey tops)

Mixing of each bottle as soon as it is filled is important.




Document URL: http://www.imvs.sa.gov.au/collection/general.htm
Last modified: Wednesday, 31st October 2007
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