Laboratory Medicine

Specimen Handling

Collection Instructions: Specimen collected in pre-chilled EDTA lavender tubes is preferred, however, specimens collected room temperature are also acceptable if centrifugation and freezing occurs within 4 hours of collection.

Laboratory Staff Instructions: Refrigerated centrifugation is preferred, however, centrifugation at room temperature is acceptable. In both situations, centrifugation and freezing of the sample should occur within 4 hours of collection. Divide equally into 2 pre-chilled transfer vials and freeze immediately. Store and send frozen. Requires simultaneous cortisol for interpretation.

Rejection Criteria: Thawed samples. Serum and heparinized plasma.

Stability: Sample stable at room temperature for 3 hours, refrigerated for 4 hours, and frozen for 10 weeks.

Transportation:

Transport on ice to core lab as soon as possible for specimens from St Michael's, and frozen for external clients