For all samples:
- Inform the laboratory by telephone that a sample is being sent. This ensures that a trace can be made to determine the location of lost or delayed samples.
- Label tube with patient’s name and lab number. Ensure that the requisition form is completed with patient’s name, date of birth, address, health card number, relevant clinical information, test required and referring physician’s name and address.
- Forward to our lab as soon as possible at room temperature. Do not freeze. Keep away from heat.
Peripheral blood:
- No fasting required
- Collect unclotted blood in a sterile, sodium heparin vacutainer (for karyotype and/or FISH studies) and/or in EDTA (for microarray CGH investigations):
- 5-8 cc for adults, 1-2 cc for babies
Bone marrow: Collect 1-2 cc of unclotted bone marrow in a sterile, sodium heparin vacutainer (for karyotype and/or FISH studies) and in EDTA (for possible microarray CGH investigations):
Amniotic fluid: Collect 18-20 cc of fluid in a sterile container.
Skin: Inner forearm or shoulder blade are preferred. Clean the area with alcohol and let dry completely. A 3x2x0.5 mm pinch biopsy is enough. Pinpoint bleeding at the pinch assures that live fibroblasts are included in the biopsy. Put in a tube or small bottle completely filled with culture medium or Hank’s balanced salt solution or sterile normal saline solution. Indicate the site of biopsy on the label.
Products of conception: Take at least two separate sterile samples not exceeding 5x5x5 mm from different locations including skin. Put in a tube or small bottle completely filled with culture medium or Hank’s balanced salt solution or sterile normal saline solution. Indicate the site of each sample on each label.
Tumours and lymph nodes: Put tumour sample (not exceeding 5x5x5 mm) and up to the entire lymph node in a tube or bottle, completely filled with culture medium or Hank’s balanced salt solution or sterile normal saline solution. Indicate the site of origin on the label.
Paraffin embedded tissue for FISH study: Use formalin fixed samples only. Put a 4μm thin slice on an ionised slide, with smaller negative and positive control samples at the end of the same slide. Clearly indicate which sample is which, and which area of the patient’s sample needs testing (make drawing or use marker on accompanying H&E slide that we will return to your lab).