Microbiology Samples: Due to the instability of bacteria over time and the processing undertaken for some samples, it is advisable that requesting additional on submitted samples are made as close to date of collection of sample as possible. Please phone relevant section in Laboratory with additional request. Requestor will be advised as to feasibility of carrying out additional tests requests. An additional form/specimen may be required. Serology Samples: The time limit for testing blood samples for various antibodies / antigens is variable. If additional testing is required by the clinician on a sample previously received, please contact the Serology Laboratory to investigate the feasibility of using the initial specimen for analysis. Storage of Examined Samples Storage of Samples Minimum Specimen Storage Storage ID Retention Description Requirement Location Period Serum ( In house Aliquot kept at Serology - 2 years Serology tests ) -40oC freezer 1 Serology Serum (Antibiotics and Primary tube Specimen 7 days Referral tests) kept at Fridge 20C 80C – 48 hours Body fluids, aspirates, Microbiology 2 20C 80C after release – Cold Room of reports Microbiology 48 hours 3 Urine Specimens 20C 80C – Cold Room after release of reports Microbiology 48 after 4 Faeces 20C 80C – Cold Room release of reports Aliquot kept at Microbiology 5 CSF -850C Freezer Stained Slides: Microbiology CSF and Blood Microscopy 180C 250C 7 days – Culture films room 6 for all stained release of slides report AAFB films Blood Culture Room
Microbiology Samples: Due to the instability of bacteria over time and the processing undertaken for some samples, it is advisable that requesting additional on submitted samples are made as close to date of collection of sample as possible. Please phone relevant section in Laboratory with additional request. Requestor will be advised as to feasibility of carrying out additional tests requests. An additional form/specimen may be required. Serology Samples: The time limit for testing blood samples for various antibodies / antigens is variable. If additional testing is required by the clinician on a sample previously received, please contact the Serology Laboratory to investigate the feasibility of using the initial specimen for analysis. Storage of Examined Samples Storage of Samples ID Specimen Description Storage Requirement Storage Location Minimum Retention Period 1 Serum ( In house Serology tests ) Serum (Antibiotics and Referral tests) Aliquot kept at -40oC Primary tube kept at 20C – 80C Serology - freezer Serology Specimen Fridge 2 years 7 days 2 Body fluids, aspirates, 20C – 80C Microbiology Cold Room 48 hours after release of reports 3 Urine Specimens 20C – 80C Microbiology Cold Room 48 hours after release of reports 4 Faeces 20C – 80C Microbiology Cold Room 48 after release of reports 5 CSF Aliquot kept at -850C Microbiology Freezer 6 Stained Slides: CSF and Blood Culture films AAFB films 180C – 250C for all stained slides Microbiology Microscopy room Blood Culture Room 7 days release of report
PATH-GEN-PSCM%20Pathology%20Users%20Handbook.docx