FCM-5.6.1.20
Version : 1.1
Page 1 of 4
Effective: 2013/10/10
Department of Clinical Pathology
Site Distribution: SB
Copy Location:
Integrated and Core Laboratories
Flow Cytometry
E-Authorized by: Medical Director
Investigation of Hematologic Disorders
Laboratory Hours of Operation
Laboratory Hours of Specimen Receipt
Statutory Holidays
Monday to Friday 0830-1645
Monday to Thursday 0830-1645
Friday 0830 -1400
Closed
Please consider the pre-analytical turnaround time (including transportation), laboratory hours
of operation and laboratory hours of specimen reception when sending a sample for testing.
Flow Cytometry Laboratory Contact Information
Location
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
2075 Bayview Avenue
North York, ON M4N 3M5
Flow Cytometry Laboratory B210
Phone Number
416-480-4958
Hematopathologist
416-480-4042 (Clinical Pathology Office)
Specimen Requirements
Peripheral Blood
1 EDTA (Lavender Top) and 1 Sodium Heparin* Tube (Green Top)
* Note: Submission of Lithium Heparin Tube will be rejected
EDTA (Lavender Top) – specimen stability 12 – 24 hours
Sodium Heparin Tube – specimen stability 48 – 72 hours
Bone Marrow Aspirate
1 Sodium Heparin* Tube (Green Top)
* Note: Submission of Lithium Heparin Tube will be rejected
Sodium Heparin Tube – specimen stability 48 – 72 hours
Lymph Node/Tissue
Submit in screw capped container suspended in sterile saline
Lymph Node/Tissue – No clear guidelines exist for specimen
stability for fresh tissue specimens. Testing should be performed
ASAP.
Fine Needle Aspirate
Submit in screw capped container suspended in sterile saline
FNA - No clear guidelines exist for specimen stability for fresh tissue
specimens. Testing should be performed ASAP.
Body Fluid
Screwed capped container
Body Fluid - No clear guidelines exist for specimen stability for body
fluids specimens. Testing should be performed ASAP.
This document is for internal use only. Any uncontrolled documents appearing in paper form should be checked against the on-line
version prior to use.
FCM-5.6.1.20
Version : 1.1
Page 2 of 4
Effective: 2013/10/10
Department of Clinical Pathology
Integrated and Core Laboratories
Site Distribution: SB
Copy Location:
Flow Cytometry
E-Authorized by: Medical Director
Investigation of Hematologic Disorders
Specimen Requirements
CSF
Screwed capped container
CSF - No clear guidelines exist for specimen stability for CSF
specimens. Testing should be performed ASAP.
Specimen Integrity
In the investigation of hematolymphoid neoplasia the presence of
tumours of high proliferation rate and specimens from patients
receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment must be
processed as soon as possible.
Specimen age is a critical variable in flow cytometric analysis.
Specimen results may be compromised with reduced viability.
Test Urgency
Specimens can be deemed a priority (Urgent, critical, or STAT) by
the Hematopathologist upon clinical triage. Advance arrangement
can be made to expedite medically necessary testing with the
Hematopathologist prior to transportation of the specimen to the
laboratory.
Specimen Labelling
All specimens must be received labelled. The minimum labelling
requirements will include at least two unique identifiers. A hospital
card imprint label is preferred. Each specimen received in the
laboratory must be accompanied by a completed requisition, which
will include all additional patient information.
Specimen Rejection
Specimens received in Lithium Heparin will be rejected.
Specimen Storage
Sunnybrook Internal Clients
Internal clients are not encouraged to store specimens. Transport
specimens to the laboratory as soon as possible.
External Clients
If a delay in transportation of the specimen is unavoidable store
specimens according to the requirements below:
Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow Aspirate – ambient temperature
Lymph Node/Tissue/Body Fluid/CSF - 4°C  2°C
This document is for internal use only. Any uncontrolled documents appearing in paper form should be checked against the on-line
version prior to use.
FCM-5.6.1.20
Version : 1.1
Page 3 of 4
Effective: 2013/10/10
Department of Clinical Pathology
Integrated and Core Laboratories
Site Distribution: SB
Copy Location:
Flow Cytometry
E-Authorized by: Medical Director
Investigation of Hematologic Disorders
Patient Information
Requisition Completion
It is imperative that all information requested on internal or referring
laboratories requisition is provided in full.
Date and Time of Collection
Required information. Necessary to determine specimen integrity.
Clinical Indication
Relevant clinical information is necessary for medical staff in the
review and interpretation of each case.
Previous/Current Drug
Therapy
Therapy information is required to determine appropriate
investigation and in the review and interpretation of each case.
Transportation
Transportation of Specimens
(Sunnybrook Internal Clients)
Transport all specimens in a sealed biohazard bag maintaining a
barrier between the specimen and documentation.
Transport all specimens at ambient temperature.
Delivery mode – Specimen Handler direct to B210 Flow Cytometry
Laboratory
Delivery mode – Pneumatic Tube System Station 12 Blood and
Tissue Bank. Specimens are redirected to Flow Cytometry
Laboratory.
Delivery mode – Pneumatic Tube System Station 8 Core Laboratory.
Specimens are redirected to Flow Cytometry Laboratory
Transportation of Specimens
(External Clients)
Transport all specimens in compliance with Transportation of
Dangerous Goods.
Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow Aspirate Specimens - transport
at ambient temperature.
Lymph Node/Tissue/Body Fluid/CSF – transport on cold pack
Delivery mode – Courier Service direct to B210 Flow Cytometry
Laboratory
This document is for internal use only. Any uncontrolled documents appearing in paper form should be checked against the on-line
version prior to use.
FCM-5.6.1.20
Version : 1.1
Page 4 of 4
Effective: 2013/10/10
Department of Clinical Pathology
Integrated and Core Laboratories
Site Distribution: SB
Copy Location:
Flow Cytometry
E-Authorized by: Medical Director
Investigation of Hematologic Disorders
Specimen Processing
Laboratory Processing of
Specimens
Every attempt should be made to provide the laboratory with a fresh
sample for analysis. Ideally the sample should be processed
immediately after collection. Special consideration must be given to
tissue samples as viability is significantly affected by age
The Flow Cytometry Laboratory will endeavour to process samples
that meet the specimen requirements as quickly as possible to
provide the highest quality of analysis results for medical review and
interpretation.
The Flow Cytometry Laboratory will not process samples that do not
meet the specimen requirements or the sample acceptability
guidelines.
The Medical Director and or designate can authorize the processing
of compromised specimens when medically necessary or if
collection of a new specimen would be difficult or impossible. The
Medical Director and or designate must assume responsibility for
testing.
A comment will be added to the final report if a compromised
specimen is processed and interpreted.
Reporting
Reports
Analysis findings are available upon final review by the
Hematopathologist.
Critical Value
Internal Clients
Acute Leukemia
Reports are available on the Electronic Patient Record.
External Clients
Reports are transmitted either by fax or electronic interface.
This document is for internal use only. Any uncontrolled documents appearing in paper form should be checked against the on-line
version prior to use.