Laboratory Medicine

Specimen Handling

Collection Instructions: Collect specimen in a gold (preferred), red, green or EDTA tube.

Laboratory Staff Instructions: Separate samples from cells within 8 hours of collection.

Stability: The specimen is stable at room temperature for up to 8 hours, refrigerated at 2–8°C for up to 7 days, frozen at -20°C for up to 3 months, and frozen at -70°C for up to 6 months. The sample should be thawed only once.

Transportation:
• Samples from St Mikes can just be sent down at room temperature. No ice needed.
• Referral sites should send specimens to St. Michael’s frozen (preferred), or at 2–8°C if delivery is within 7 days..

Sample Rejection Criteria:
Samples will be rejected if they are unlabeled, of insufficient quantity, thawed for more than 7 days, older than 7 days before being frozen, or if they have been refrozen after thawing.