| 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 |
The following table details our current specimen storage procedure. However, we advise that you call us as sometimes samples are held for longer than NPAAC recommend. We will also be able to let you know if the sample in storage is suitable for an additional examination.
| Specimen Type | Minimum Specimen Retention Time |
||
| Pathology | |||
| Tissue for pathology (Blocks and slides) | 20 years | ||
| Cytology (PAP - smears) and non gynae exfol SM | 14 years | ||
| FNA slides | 20 years | ||
| FNA slides | 20 years | ||
| Materials (ie specimen other than slides eg sputum) | 5 days | ||
| Haematology | |||
| Whole blood samples | 7 days | ||
| Serum/Plasma | 7 days | ||
| Coag (INR/APTT) | 7 days | ||
| Bone Marrow slides | 20 years | ||
| Blood slides | 1 year | ||
| Clinical Chemistry | |||
| Serum, plasma and body fluids | 7 days | ||
| Transfusion | |||
| Blood samples | 10 days | ||
| Immunology | |||
| Blood, serum and plasma | 7 days | ||
| Frozen tissue blocks | 2 years | ||
| Genetics | |||
| Blood, Bone Marrow (if normal) | 6 months | ||
| Microbiology/Virology | |||
| General specimens (swabs etc) | 3 days | ||
| Urine | 7 days | ||
| CSF | 2 weeks | ||
| Blood cultures isolates | 6 months | ||
| Serum/Plasma | 6 months | ||