Quick links ...

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
This section is to assist medical and nursing staff where courier services may be infrequent.

Anticoagulated Blood

For haematological analysis (eg. Cell counts, haemoglobin, CBE)
Store in the refrigerator (approximately 4°C).
Make a blood film if there is likely to be more than a 24-hour delay in transporting the sample to a laboratory.

For coagulation tests (INR,APTT)
INR - store in the refrigerator (approximately 4°C ).
APTT - store in the refrigerator (approximately 4°C).
       OR
If the patient is on heparin, store the specimens on ice/water mixture and transport to the laboratory within 4 hours.

For Cell Surface Markers
Leave at room temperature and transport to the laboratory within 12 hours.


Bloods for Serum or Plasma Assay (Including gel tubes, plain tops and lithium heparin tubes)
Stand specimens at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Centrifuge for 10 -15 minutes at 4000 rpm in a balanced centrifuge.
Store the spun tube in the refrigerator (approximately 4°C).
Swabs for Microbiology and Virology Collect swabs and place into the transport medium provided. Store at room temperature (22°C).

EXCEPTION: Genital swabs (vaginal/urethral) - store at room temperature (22°C) in the transport medium.


Sputum, faeces and Urine for Microbiology Store the samples in the refrigerator (approximately 4°C).
24 Hour Urine Collections Check with the IMVS Specimen Collection Book or your nearest IMVS laboratory to see if the collection can be avoided and a spot urine assayed in its place. If a full collection is indicated, the whole specimen should be sent to the laboratory for measurement.
Containers can be obtained by phoning (08) 8222 3000, or your nearest regional laboratory.
"PAP" Smears Collect specimen, prepare a smear and spray with fixative. Ensure the slide is properly labelled.

When the slide is dry, place the smear inside a slide carrier and store at room temperature (approximately 22°C).


Document URL: http://www.imvs.sa.gov.au/collection/remote.htm
Last modified: Wednesday, 31st October 2007
© 2000 Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science    Disclaimer