Laboratory Medicine

Specimen Handling

Collection Instructions: Serum or plasma collected with or without gel separator. Ensure both sample and requisition are labelled properly.

Write your initials, date and time of collection on the collection label.

Laboratory Staff Instructions: Separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Thaw only once.

Stability: Stable at room temperature for 8 hours, refrigerated for 2 days, or frozen at -20°C for up to six months before testing. Thaw only once.

Transportation: Transport at room temperature ASAP. Place on ice if time of collection to time sample get to lab exceeds 2hrs

Sample Rejection Criteria: Unlabeled or Not Sufficient Quantity Samples will be rejected. Avoid multiple freeze - thaw cycles.