General specimen requirement information

Samples must be labelled with:

• patient's full name (surname / family name and given/individual name)
• date of birth and unique NHS/hospital number
• date of collection.

Sample handling and storage

• All samples should be sent directly to the laboratory to arrive as soon as possible after collection, i.e. hospital transport, first class post, courier service etc.
• All samples, with the exception of NIPD samples, can be stored overnight at +4^oC if there is an unavoidable delay between sample collection and dispatch. NIPD samples should be kept at room temperature.
• Please DO NOT FREEZE blood samples.

  Sample packaging

  Samples must be packaged to comply with PI650, for Category B biological substances as described by the European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR; applicable as from 01/01/2017)

  This applies to all samples sent by post or courier.
  

  Summary of Packing Instruction 650 (PI650)

  Packaging comprises 3 components.

  • Pathological specimens must be in a securely sealed watertight primary container i.e. a sample tube.
  • Specimen tubes should then be sealed in a leak-proof secondary container (i.e. plastic container or specimen bag), along with sufficient absorbent material to absorb the entire contents of the container in the event of leakage or damage
  • The secondary container and the referral paperwork are then securely cushioned within a rigid outer packaging, such as a strong cardboard box/Jiffy bag for postal samples or a transport box for South Central Ambulance Transport services. This outer package should have at least one surface of minimum dimension 100 mm x 100 mm. 
  • The outer package should be clearly labelled "UN3373, Biological substance Category B". (Extracted DNA does not need to be labelled UN3373)

  

  High risk samples (hazardous biological agents)

  For samples known/likely to be infected with hazardous biological agents (hazard group 3 or above, e.g. HIV, Hepatitis B/C, prions, mycobacterium tuberculosis):

  • The nature of the risk must be clearly marked on the referral card.
  • The sample tube should be clearly labelled (e.g. 'Danger of Infection' tape) to indicate the high risk nature.
  • If information regarding hazardous biological agents becomes available after a sample is referred to the laboratory, then the laboratory must be informed immediately

  Inappropriate samples

  The following samples will NOT be accepted by the Genetics Laboratory:

  • Clotted blood samples
  • Lithium heparin samples for Molecular Genetics analysis - this is due to risk of failure or false positive results for some analyses. Lithium heparin samples ARE REQUESTED for karyotype analysis
  • Inadequately labelled samples - when it has not been possible to confirm the patient of origin.
  • Inadequately packaged samples, including damaged or leaking samples.

  Last updated:07 November 2018 by Claire Scott.