General Procedure For Submission Of Specimen

Please refer to the tables for the type and amount of specimen, including the appropriate preservative/anticoagulant, require for each test.

Blood specimen meant for this laboratory should be processed and delivered immediately after collection. Apart from tests, which are performed on whole blood, only serum or plasma should be sent. To prevent denaturation or bacterial growth, pack the plasma or serum specimens in ice during transport.

Timed urine specimens should be collected with great care and preserved with the appropriate preservatives. The total volume of urine voided should be measured and recorded clearly on the label stuck to the container.

Every specimen must be accompanied by a duly completed IMR request form. For tests such as Inborn error of metabolism and Multiple Myeloma, special request forms has to be filled up. ( Forms  could be obtained from the Biochemistry Unit, Specialised Diagnostic Centre). Each specimen must be accompanied by a completed request form containing the following:

a.         Patient's identification data, especially I/C number, and/ or R/N, age, and sex

b.         Relevant clinical summary

c.         Relevant routine laboratory results

d.         Provisional Diagnosis

e.         Doctor's name and signature

f.          Ward/clinic and hospital's official rubber stamp.

g.         Date of specimen collected, and

h.         Date of specimen sent

i.          Test requested

j.          Type of specimens

Container for specimen should be labeled with patient's name, I/C or R/N, and name of the test requested.

Specimen Collection And Preparation

Blood

Collect blood into a plain container or one with the appropriate anticoagulant/preservative in it. Separate the plasma or serum (after the blood has been allowed to clot) as appropriate and transfer the specimen into a clean container. Pack the specimen in ice for its transport to the biochemistry laboratory. In the case of tests requiring whole blood, send the blood specimens immediately after collection. Note: If possible, all specimens must arrive at the laboratory on the same day of collection.

Urine

A timed urine specimen is required for most tests performed in this laboratory. The specimen should be collected with great care and preserved with the appropriate preservative. Send an aliquot of about 100ml to the laboratory. Note: The total volume of urine voided should be measured and recorded, both on the label stuck onto the specimen bottle and on the request form.  

Procedure for collection of a 24-h urine specimen:

1. At the start of the collection period (note the time) ask the patient to empty his/her bladder completely. Discard this urine specimen.

2. Collect all urine specimens passed during the next 24h in the container provided. If a preservative is used, mix the contents thoroughly after each addition of urine.

3. At the end of the collection period (at approximately the same time the following day), ask the patient to empty his/her bladder completely and include this last specimen in the total collection.

4. Measure and record the amount of urine collected both on the label stuck onto the specimen bottle and on the request form.

5. Send an aliquot of about 100ml immediately to the laboratory, otherwise store it at 4 ° C and deliver to the laboratory as soon as possible.

Special Test

Paraprotein, serum

Collect 10 ml of blood into a plain bottle. Allow blood to clot and transfer the serum into a screw-capped glass bottle containing 10 mg of sodium azide as a preservative. If  cryoglobulins is suspected to be present, blood collection and serum separation must be carried out using instruments and containers that have been pre-warmed to 37 o C.   Please contact the protein laboratory for further information or appointment.

Paraparotein, urinary

Ask the patient to collect a 24-h urine specimen. Note the volume and transfer 25 ml of this urine into a screw-capped universal bottle containing 25 mg of sodium azide or 2 drops of toluene as a preservative. Alternatively, a random sample of an early morning urine may be sent.   Urine specimen sent to the protein laboratory must be accompanied by the patient's serum.