RHH PATHOLOGY : PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE and PATHOLOGY SOUTH SPECIMEN COLLECTION CENTRE
PATHOLOGY SPECIMEN TUBES
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE : 2014 Edition
Expires February 2015
FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION AND FOR TESTS THAT ARE NOT LISTED HERE PLEASE CHECK THE INTRANET
SITE AT: http://rhhlas26/path_tests/lab_default.asp or www.pathologysouth.com.au
Group 1 : The following tests can be performed on a single Red Top 4mL
SST tube
ACE
AFP (alpha Foetoprotein)
Alcohol
alpha 1 antitrypsin
Amikacin
B12/folate
ß2-Microglobulin
C3, C4
CA-125
C-reactive protein (CRP)
CK
Caeruloplasmin
Calcium group
Carbamazepine
CEA
Cholesterol
Digoxin
Ferritin
Fructosamine
Gentamicin
Glucose ( sample must
be rec'd < 4 hours post
collection.)
Haptoglobin
HCG
HDL
IPG
Iron (Iron Studies)
LDH
LFT
Lipase
Lithium
Methotrexate
Osmolality
Document ID: QS-Proc-35
Paracetamol
Phenobarb
Procalcitonin
Phenytoin
PSA
Rheumatoid Factor
Salicylate
Theophylline
Tobramycin
Transferrin
Triglyceride
Troponin
U&E
Urate
Valproate
Vancomycin
SST 4mL (Red top with gel)
Author: Dr T. Hartley Authorised by Dr. T Hartley Issued Date: Jan 2014 Page 1 of 12
RHH PATHOLOGY : PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE and PATHOLOGY SOUTH SPECIMEN COLLECTION CENTRE
Each of the following GROUPS of tests requires its own
5 mL White Top tube with gel, irrespective of other test
and sample requirements.
Group 2
TSH, TFT, Insulin, C-peptide, Prolactin, FSH,
Estradiol, Vitamin D.
Group 3
Serology
Viral PCR eg HCv, HBV
Group 4
ANA
ENA
ANCA
Copper
EPG
Selenium
Zinc
Plain 5mL (White Top with gel)
Document ID: QS-Proc-35
Author: Dr T. Hartley Authorised by Dr. T Hartley Issued Date: Jan 2014 Page 2 of 12
RHH PATHOLOGY : PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE and PATHOLOGY SOUTH SPECIMEN COLLECTION CENTRE
APTT
D-Dimers
Fibrinogen
INR
Coags
NB: Fill to thick black arrow
Sodium Citrate 3.5 mL (Blue Top)
FBC
Retics
Hb
Separate Tube Required for these tests
Haemoglobin Alc (HbA1c)
Homocysteine (on ice)
BNP (must arrive within
4hrs)
Cyclosporin
Tacrolimus
Lead
Cadmium
PCR
Document ID: QS-Proc-35
EDTA 4mL (Pink Top)
Author: Dr T. Hartley Authorised by Dr. T Hartley Issued Date: Jan 2014 Page 3 of 12
RHH PATHOLOGY : PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE and PATHOLOGY SOUTH SPECIMEN COLLECTION CENTRE
Blood Group and Hold
Crossmatch
Adults
Specimens for blood group or crossmatch
must be hand labelled and signed by the
person;
•
who collected the specimen
•
who witnessed the specimen collection
EDTA - Transfusion - 9mL (Purple Top)
OR
Samples with pre-printed labels will not be
processed.
Complete all fields of the dedicated
Transfusion Request Form.
Paediatrics
EDTA - Transfusion - 2mL (Purple Top)
Document ID: QS-Proc-35
Author: Dr T. Hartley Authorised by Dr. T Hartley Issued Date: Jan 2014 Page 4 of 12
RHH PATHOLOGY : PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE and PATHOLOGY SOUTH SPECIMEN COLLECTION CENTRE
Lactate
Glucose
NB. Glucose can be measured
on a Red Top SST tube
provided it is received by the
lab within 4 hours of collection
NB: Always fill the GREY TOP tube to the thick black
line
Sodium Fluoride/EDTA 2mL (Grey Top)
ESR
NB: Fill to line, if problems with filling
then also send a filled 4ml Pink Top
Do not stick label onto inner clear tube
Black Rubber Top Tube with Additive
Document ID: QS-Proc-35
Author: Dr T. Hartley Authorised by Dr. T Hartley Issued Date: Jan 2014 Page 5 of 12
RHH PATHOLOGY : PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE and PATHOLOGY SOUTH SPECIMEN COLLECTION CENTRE
Flow Cytometry
Studies (Yellow
Top and Pink Top)
Separate Tube Required
for HIV Loads = 9ml
Purple Top (dedicated
sample) for this test
9 ml Yellow Top ACD Tube
Aluminium
Chromium
Cobalt
7 ml Navy Top Tube
Document ID: QS-Proc-35
Author: Dr T. Hartley Authorised by Dr. T Hartley Issued Date: Jan 2014 Page 6 of 12
RHH PATHOLOGY : PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE and PATHOLOGY SOUTH SPECIMEN COLLECTION CENTRE
Ammonia
Send on ice
Advise Lab. Before collection, Ext. 8775
9 ml or 4 ml Green Top Tube
Chromosome studies/Karyotype
FISH for 22q
Adult-9mL Child-4mL
9 ml or 4 ml Green Top Tube
Document ID: QS-Proc-35
Author: Dr T. Hartley Authorised by Dr. T Hartley Issued Date: Jan 2014 Page 7 of 12
RHH PATHOLOGY : PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE and PATHOLOGY SOUTH SPECIMEN COLLECTION CENTRE
Fragile X DNA test
Prader Willi Syndrome / Angelman Syndrome
Molecular Karyotyping / Microarray
Sample must be received in laboratory no later than 2pm Thursday.
Enquiries: Ext 8297
PCR : Separate Tube required
EDTA 4mL (Pink Top)
Swab
MC & S only
See database for all
other swabs
Swab (Blue Cap)
Document ID: QS-Proc-35
Author: Dr T. Hartley Authorised by Dr. T Hartley Issued Date: Jan 2014 Page 8 of 12
RHH PATHOLOGY : PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE and PATHOLOGY SOUTH SPECIMEN COLLECTION CENTRE
Paediatric Tubes – Haematology and Transfusion
EDTA 2mL (Purple Top)
OR
EDTA 0.5mL (Pink Top)
( Neonates )
Fill to the line
Document ID: QS-Proc-35
Author: Dr T. Hartley Authorised by Dr. T Hartley Issued Date: Jan 2014 Page 9 of 12
RHH PATHOLOGY : PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE and PATHOLOGY SOUTH SPECIMEN COLLECTION CENTRE
Paediatric Tubes - Coagulation
Sodium Citrate 1mL (Blue)
Sodium Citrate 2mL (Blue Top) - Coags
Fill to thick black line
Bullet with gel 1mL - Biochemistry
( Neonates )
Document ID: QS-Proc-35
Author: Dr T. Hartley Authorised by Dr. T Hartley Issued Date: Jan 2014 Page 10 of 12
RHH PATHOLOGY : PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE and PATHOLOGY SOUTH SPECIMEN COLLECTION CENTRE
SPECIMEN LABELLING
Number on it.
All sample tubes must show the following details :
Patient's surname and given name(s)
Date of Birth
Unit Record Number
Date and time of collection
Ward
Specimens for blood group or crossmatch must be hand labelled
and signed by
Clear labelling of tubes is essential and handwritten labels are
preferred. If patient sticky labels are used then they must be
the small ones and placed longitudinally so that the contents
and fill level are still visible for the laboratory staff to check.
•
the person who collected the specimen
•
the person who witnessed the specimen collection
Blood group or crossmatch samples with pre-printed labels
will not be processed.
Complete all fields of the dedicated Transfusion Request Form.
SPECIMEN TRANSPORT AND DELIVERY
All samples must be transported in a sealed Biohazard bag with the
sample in the sealable section and the Request Form in the separate
pocket.
Blood gas or ionised calcium samples are transported in the
syringe in which the blood was taken. The needle must be removed
before transport and replaced with a protective cap. If transported
in the vacuum tube system the samples must be packed with ice
and double bagged.
Vacuum Tube System
All specimens must be accompanied by a completed Request
Samples may be sent in the appropriate canisters via the vacuum
Form signed by the Doctor and with the Doctor's name written tube system which has stations situated throughout the hospital.
in block capitals to avoid misidentification of the Requestor.
The numbers for Pathology are 84161 or 84162.
RHH Doctors must also use their stamp with their Provider
Document ID: QS-Proc-35
Author: Dr T. Hartley Authorised by Dr. T Hartley Issued Date: Jan 2014 Page 11 of 12
RHH PATHOLOGY : PHLEBOTOMY SERVICE and PATHOLOGY SOUTH SPECIMEN COLLECTION CENTRE
All specimens must be in Biohazard bags.
Blood cultures should be wrapped in bubble wrap and bagged and
only one set of blood culture tubes should be put in one canister.
Certain samples such as those for Platelet Function Analysis must
not be sent by Vacuum Tube—check the Pathology Specimen
Database if you are uncertain about sending a specimen via the
Vacuum Tube System.
for Routine Specimen Container Information. Hard copy
reports are produced throughout the day and distributed to the
Wards via the internal mail system.
TESTS AVAILABLE DATABASE - Direct URLs
http://rhhlas26/path_tests/lab_default.asp
Personal Delivery to Pathology.
or
Samples should be brought to Pathology Reception which is
located on the 1st floor of the D block (Gaha Wing) in the area
near the lifts adjacent to the Clinical School.
http://pathologysouth.com.au/information-for-clinicians/testinformation/
PATHOLOGY RESULTS
All reports other than HIV reports are available electronically via
the RHH Intranet Digital Medical Record.
https://dmrprimary.dhhs.tas.gov.au/udr/app/aut
henticate.html?returnheader=true
Internet Explorer is available on PCs in the clinical areas and
should be used to access this information; it should be
unnecessary for you to phone the labs for Routine Results or
Document ID: QS-Proc-35
Author: Dr T. Hartley Authorised by Dr. T Hartley Issued Date: Jan 2014 Page 12 of 12