PMC Test Catalog - Pikeville Medical Center

Pikeville Medical Center Test Catalog

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Test Name	Orderable Procedures	Collection Requirements	Shipping/Handling Instructions
% Free PSA	PERCENT FREE PSA [LAB11211]	Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation.	If the serum sample is to be assayed within 24 hours after collection, the specimen should be stored in a refrigerator at 2 to 8°C. Specimens held for longer times (up to 5 months) should be frozen at -20°C or colder.
Abo/Rh Type	ABO/RH [LAB895]	Collect into an EDTA tube (purple or pink top) and gently invert to mix with anticoagulant	Samples stored at room temperature are acceptable for up to 24 hours. Samples are acceptable at 2 to 8°C for up to 7 days.
Acetaminophen, Peak	ACETAMINOPHEN, PEAK [LAB11028]	Collect sample into a dark green or red top tube. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation. Do not use a gel-barrier tube. The use of gel-barrier tubes is not recommended due to slow absorption of the drug by the gel. Depending on the specimen volume and storage time, the decrease in drug level due to absorption may be clinically significant.	Store and transport samples refrigerated at 2-8°C.
Acetaminophen, Random	ACETAMINOPHEN, RANDOM [LAB43]	Collect sample into a dark green or red top tube. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation. Do not use a gel-barrier tube. The use of gel-barrier tubes is not recommended due to slow absorption of the drug by the gel. Depending on the specimen volume and storage time, the decrease in drug level due to absorption may be clinically significant.	Store and transport samples refrigerated at 2-8°C.
Acetaminophen, Trough	ACETAMINOPHEN, TROUGH [LAB11027]	Collect sample into a dark green or red top tube. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation. Do not use a gel-barrier tube. The use of gel-barrier tubes is not recommended due to slow absorption of the drug by the gel. Depending on the specimen volume and storage time, the decrease in drug level due to absorption may be clinically significant.	Store and transport samples refrigerated at 2-8°C.
Acinetobacter MDR Screen		Collect a blue top BBL CultureSwab	Store and transport samples at room temperature (5-25°C). Specimens should be sent to lab within 24 hours of collection.
ACTH Stimulation 1 Hour		Collect a serum separator (SST) or Red Top tube. Collect 1 hour after ACTH (Cosyntropin) administration.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder.
ACTH Stimulation 30 Minutes		Collect a serum separator (SST) or Red Top tube. Collect 30 minutes after ACTH administration.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder.
ACTH Stimulation Baseline		Collect a serum separator (SST) or Red Top tube.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder.
Aerobic Culture	AEROBIC CULTURE [LAB897]	If collecting via swab, collect using a blue top BBL CultureSwab. If not, place specimen into a sterile container.	Transport specimens to the laboratory promptly: 30 minutes for aspirate or tissue samples for best recovery, optimally <2 hours for swab specimens (up to 24 hours if collected in suitable transport media).
Albumin	ALBUMIN [LAB45]	Recommended specimen types: Serum and plasma (lithium heparin). For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection	Sample should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at room temperature or 2 to 8 °C).
Albumin, Body Fluid	ALBUMIN, BODY FLUID [LAB177]	Collect in a sterile container. If visibly bloody, the specimen should be poured into a lithium heparinized tube to prevent clot formation. All samples should be centrifuged before processing.	Specimen should be transported to lab as soon as possible. If specimen transport is prolonged, refrigerate.
Alkaline Phosphatase	ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE [LAB112]	Collect a Green Top (lithium heparin) or serum separator (SST). Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Sample is viable for up to 7 days when stored at room temperature or refrigerated (4-25°C).
Alkaline Phosphatase, Body Fluid	ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE, BODY FLUID [LAB2351]	Collect in sterile container.	Specimen should be transported to lab as soon as possible. If specimen transport is prolonged, refrigerate for up to 7 days.
Alpha-1-Antitrypsin	ALPHA-1-ANTITRYPSIN [LAB810]	Collect a Gold or Red top tube to allow for Serum specimen. Use routine phlebotomy collection procedures.	Samples are stable up to 3 months when stored at 20-25°C and 5 months when stored at 4-8°C
ALT (SGPT)		Collect a Green Top (lithium heparin) or serum separator (SST). Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	After separation from cells, store at room temperature up to 24 hours. Can be refrigerated up to 1 week and frozen up to 1 month.
Ammonia	AMMONIA [LAB47]	Recommended specimen type: Plasma (Lithium heparin). The tube should be completely filled, stored tightly capped on ice and centrifuged without delay. Samples should be analyzed within 30 minutes of centrifugation.	Place specimen in ice slurry and send to lab immediately.
Amylase	AMYLASE [LAB48]	Collect a Green Top (lithium heparin) or serum separator (SST). Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Separated samples are stable for 7 days at room temperature and six months at 2 to 8 °C. For longer storage specimens may be frozen at -20 °C or colder
Amylase, Body Fluid	AMYLASE, BODY FLUID [LAB178]	Collect in sterile container. If visibly bloody, the specimen should be poured off into a lithium heparinized tube to prevent clot formation. All samples should be centrifuged before processing.	Specimen should be transported to lab as soon as possible. If specimen transport is prolonged, refrigerate for up to 7 days.
Amylase, Urine, 24h	AMYLASE, URINE, 24 HOUR [LAB359]	Collect a 24-hour urine in a 24-hour dark plastic urine container. Refrigerate during collection.	After 24-hour collection, transport specimen to lab. Urine amylase is stable for up to 10 days when stored at 4-8°C.
Amylase, Urine, Random	AMYLASE, URINE, RANDOM [LAB360]	Albumin must be added to all urine specimens to maximize amylase activity. The final albumin concentration in urine should be at least 3.0 g/dL (30 g/L).	Specimen should be transported to lab as soon as possible. If specimen transport is prolonged, store at 4-8°C for up to 10 days.
Anaerobic Culture	ANAEROBIC CULTURE [LAB233]	Collect swabs and send in glass container obtained from microbiology. All fluids or tissue must be sent immediately to lab in sterile container.	Do not send glass tubes on pneumatic tube system. Acceptable transport times if not sent immediately to lab: Aspirates in anaerobic transport material: up to 24 hours at room temperature Anaerobic swabs: up to 24 hours at room temperature All specimens in a sterile container should be delivered to the lab in less than 30 minutes for optimal recovery of anaerobic organisms.
Anti-Microsomal Ab		Serum is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Thaw samples no more than three times.
Antithrombin III	ANTITHROMBIN III [LAB311]	Fully collect a Blue Top (sodium citrate) tube. Underfilled tubes will not be accepted. Mix sample immediately by gentle inversion at least six times.	Specimens that are not centrifuged with plasma remaining in the the capped tube above the packed cells should be kept at 18-24°C and tested no longer than 4 hours after the time of collection. If testing cannot be performed within this time, platelet-poor plasma should be removed from the cells and frozen at -20°C for up to 2 weeks. To obtain platelet-poor plasma: centrifuge, separate plasma, re-centrifuge, and separate plasma into a transport tube.
APT Fetal Hemoglobin	FETAL HEMOGLOBIN, APT TEST [LAB1029]	0.5-1 ml fresh gastric contents or stool	Deliver to laboratory immediately after collection
aPTT	APTT [LAB325]	Fully collect a Blue Top (sodium citrate) tube. Underfilled tubes will not be accepted. Mix sample immediately by gentle inversion at least six times.	Specimens that are not centrifuged with plasma remaining in the the capped tube above the packed cells should be kept at 18-24°C and tested no longer than 4 hours after the time of collection. If testing cannot be performed within this time, platelet-poor plasma should be removed from the cells and frozen at -20°C for up to 2 weeks. To obtain platelet-poor plasma: centrifuge, separate plasma, re-centrifuge, and separate plasma into a transport tube.
AST (SGOT)	AST [LAB131]	Collect a Green Top (lithium heparin) or serum separator (SST). Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	After separation from cells, store at room temperature up to 24 hours. Can be refrigerated up to 1 week and frozen up to 1 month.
Basic Metabolic Panel	BASIC METABOLIC PANEL [LAB15]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. A gel separator tube is preferred if being transported to prevent glycolysis. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Specimens are stable for up to 24 hours at 20-25°C and 7 days at 4-8°C after separation from cells.
Beta-Hydroxybutyrate	BETA HYDROXYBUTYRATE [LAB2336]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Specimen stable up to one month at 20-25°C or 2-8°C
Bilirubin Total	BILIRUBIN, TOTAL [LAB50]	Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.Samples should be protected from light.	Samples should be stored at 4 °C and analyzed within 5 days. Samples may be frozen at -20 °C or colder for up to 6 months.
Bilirubin, Body Fluid	BILIRUBIN, BODY FLUID [LAB182]	Protect from light. If visibly bloody, the specimen should be poured into a lithium heparinized tube to prevent clot formation. All samples should be centrifuged before processing.	If protected from light, specimen is stable for 24 hours at 20-25°C and 7 days at 4-8°C.
Bilirubin, Direct	BILIRUBIN, DIRECT [LAB52]	Collect Lithium Heparinized tube or Serum. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection. Samples should be protected from light.	Bilirubin is extremely photosensitive and should be protected from light. Samples should be stored at 4 °C and analyzed within 5 days. For longer storage, samples may be frozen at -20 °C or colder for up to 3 months.
Body Fluid Cell Count	BODY FLUID CELL COUNT [LAB209]	Collect specimen in sterile container. To verify optimal recovery of cellularity, body fluid specimens, with the exception of CSF, should be placed in EDTA tube immediately upon collection.	Can maintain specimen at room temperature up to 4 hours. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. Do not freeze
Body Fluid Cell Differential		Collect specimen in sterile container. To verify optimal recovery of cellularity, body fluid specimens, with the exception of CSF, should be placed in EDTA tube immediately upon collection.	Can maintain specimen at room temperature up to 4 hours. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. Do not freeze.
Body Fluid Culture	BODY FLUID CULTURE [LAB269]	Collect specimen in sterile container.	Submit to the laboratory as soon as possible, maintain specimen at room temperature (20-25°C).
Bronchial Culture		Collect specimen in sterile container.	Transport to lab within 2 hours. If processing is delayed, refrigerate at 2-8°C (a delay of processing of more than 2 hours may result in loss of recovery of fastidious pathogens and overgrowth of gram negative bacilli).
Bronchial Gram Stain		Collect specimen in sterile container.	Transport to lab within 2 hours. If processing is delayed, refrigerate at 2-8°C (a delay of processing of more than 2 hours may result in loss of recovery of fastidious pathogens and overgrowth of gram negative bacilli).
BUN	BUN [LAB140]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Specimen stable for 7 days at 4-25°C
Buprenorphine Screen, Urine		Plastic urine container	Maintain specimen at room temperature. If arrival at lab will extend beyond seven days, refrigerate.
C Diff GDH Antigen	C. DIFF GDH ANTIGEN TESTING (REFLEX TO TOXIN IF POSITIVE) [LAB14559]	Important! In order to test for C. difficile, the specimen must conform to the shape of the container. If the specimen contains only formed stool, do not collect it. If the specimen contains formed stool, it could identify patients who are colonized but not infected with C. Difficile, leading to unnecessary treatment.	Transport of specimen to lab as quickly as possible after collection. Specimens should be stored at 2-8°C until processed. Specimens may be held up to 3 days from time of collection at 2-8°C prior to processing.
C Diff Toxin A & B		Important! In order to test for C. difficile, the specimen must conform to the shape of the container. If the specimen contains only formed stool, do not collect it. If the specimen contains formed stool, it could identify patients who are colonized but not infected with C. Difficile, leading to unnecessary treatment.	Transport of specimen to lab as quickly as possible after collection. Specimens should be stored at 2-8°C until processed. Specimens may be held up to 3 days from time of collection at 2-8°C prior to processing.
C-peptide		Serum is the recommended sample type for this assay. Collect all blood samples observing universal precautions for venipuncture. Allow samples to clot adequately before centrifugation.	Specimen is stable for 24 hours at 15-25°C and 48 hours at 2-10°C. If necessary, sample can be frozen at -15°C or colder for up to 90 days.
C-Reactive Protein, Qualitative	C-REACTIVE PROTEIN, QUALITATIVE [LAB11002]	Recommended specimen types: serum. Serum can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture.	Samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 to 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below −20 °C for up to eight months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples, which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15 000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter.
C-Reactive Protein, Quant	C-REACTIVE PROTEIN, QUANTITATIVE [LAB149]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection	Samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 to 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below −20 °C for up to eight months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples, which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15 000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter
C3 Complement	C3 COMPLEMENT [LAB152]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.	Samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 - 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below −20 °C for up to three months.
C4 Complement	C4 COMPLEMENT [LAB151]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.	Samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 - 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below −20 °C for up to three months
CA 125		Serum is the recommended sample type. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture.	• Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation. • Keep tubes stoppered at all times. • Physically separate serum from contact with cells as soon as possible. • Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. • If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. • If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. • Thaw samples only once.
CA 19-9		Serum is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Thaw samples only once.
Calcium	CALCIUM [LAB53]	Recommended specimen types: serum, plasma (lithium heparin, sodium heparin). Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. Complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.	Specimen is stable up to 7 days at 20-25°C and up to 3 weeks when stored at 4-8°C
Calcium, Urine, 24h	CALCIUM, URINE, 24 HOUR [LAB814]	Urine specimens should be collected in 20–30 mL of 6M HCL per 24-hour specimen to prevent calcium salt precipitation.	Instruct the patient to void at 8 AM and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (ie, 8 AM the next morning). Screw the lid on securely. Transport the specimen promptly to the laboratory. Container must be labeled with patient's full name, room number, date and time collection started, and date and time collection finished. pH must be <2.
Calcium, Urine, Random	CALCIUM, URINE, RANDOM [LAB371]	Urine specimens should be collected in 1–2 mL of 6M HCL for a random specimen, to prevent calcium salt precipitation.	Stable for up to 2 days when stored at 20-25°C and up to 4 days when stored at 4-8°C.
Calprotectin, Stool		Stool (unpreserved, random). Clean screw-capped plastic vial. Do not contaminate outside of container; do not overfill container. Loose stools are acceptable.	Stool specimens should be received by the laboratory within 10 days of collection. Samples are stable for four days before testing at 2°C to 8°C. Freeze at -20°C if samples will not be tested within four days. Stable frozen up to one year from collection.
CANCER ANTIGEN 15-3		Serum is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Thaw samples only once.
Candida auris Surveillance Screen		One sterile swab collected from left axilla, right axilla, and groin.	Transport specimens to the laboratory promptly. For best recovery, optimally <2 hours for swab specimens (up to 24 hours if collected in suitable transport media).
Capillary Protein Electrophoresis		Collect a gold top SST. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used.	Do not store or ship samples at room temperature as the sample will degrade rapidly. Samples are stable up to 7 days at 2-8°C and up to 1 month at -20°C. If samples are to be stored frozen, refrigerate immediately and freeze within 8 hours of collection.
Carbamazepine		Collect sample into a dark green or red top tube. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	If not transported to lab immediately, sample should be stored and transported at 2-8°C. Samples are stable at 2-8°C for up to one month.
Carboxyhemoglobin	CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN [LAB56]	Collect Lithium Heparinized un-opened tube. Send to lab immediately.	Sample must be sent to lab immediately for processing.
Catheter Culture	CATHETER CULTURE [LAB224]	Send only the tip of the catheter in a sterile container.	Send to lab immediately after collection.
CBC	CBC [LAB294]	Invert immediately and gently mix with anticoagulant.	Can maintain specimen at room temperature up to 24 hours. Refrigerate up to 48 hours. Do not freeze.
CBC	CBC WITH MANUAL DIFFERENTIAL [LAB12400]	Invert immediately and gently mix with anticoagulant.	Can maintain specimen at room temperature up to 24 hours. Refrigerate up to 48 hours. Do not freeze.
CBC w/ Auto Differential	CBC WITH AUTO DIFFERENTIAL [LAB1748]	Invert immediately and gently mix with anticoagulant.	Can maintain specimen at room temperature up to 24 hours. Refrigerate up to 48 hours. Do not freeze.
CCP, IgG	CYCLIC CITRUL PEPTIDE ANTIBODY, IGG [LAB851]
CEA		Serum is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. For serum, allow samples to clot adequately before centrifugation. Physically separate serum from contact with cells as soon as possible.	Store samples, tightly stoppered, at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder.
Celiac Panel
Ceruloplasmin	CERULOPLASMIN [LAB703]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection	Samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 to 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below −20 °C for up to three months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples, which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15 000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter. Lipemic samples should be avoided.
Chloride	CHLORIDE [LAB59]	Recommended specimen types: serum, plasma (lithium heparin only).	Sodium, potassium and chloride in serum and plasma are stable for at least one week either at room or refrigerator (2–8 °C) temperature and for at least one year frozen.
Chloride, Urine, 24h	CHLORIDE, URINE, 24 HOUR [LAB11021]	Twenty-four hour urine collection for sodium, potassium and chloride should be made without addition of preservatives. Store at 2–8 °C or frozen for delayed analysis.	Instruct the patient to void at 8 AM and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (ie, 8 AM the next morning). Screw the lid on securely. Container must be labeled with patient's full name, date and time collection started, and date and time collection finished.
Chloride, Urine, Random	CHLORIDE, URINE, RANDOM [LAB374]	Collect urine specimen in a sterile container.	Store at 2–8 °C or frozen for delayed analysis.
Cholesterol Total	CHOLESTEROL, TOTAL [LAB60]	Collect a Green Top (lithium heparin) or serum separator (SST). Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	After separation from cells, specimens are stable at room temperature up to 24 hours. Can be refrigerated up to 5 days and frozen up to 3 months.
Cholesterol, Fluid	CHOLESTEROL, BODY FLUID [LAB376]	Collect specimen in a sterile container. If visibly blood, the specimen should be poured into a lithium heparinized tube to prevent clot formation. All samples should be centrifuged before processing.	Specimens for processing should be sent to lab as soon as possible. If transported, specimen should be refrigerated at 4-8°C for up to 7 days.
CK	CK [LAB62]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Samples should be kept at 2-8 C and analyzed within 7 days. For longer storage, samples may be frozen at -20 C or colder up to 29 days.
CKMB		Lithium heparin plasma is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Physically separate plasma from contact with cells as soon as possible.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Thaw samples only once.
Clostridioides difficile PCR		Important! In order to test for C. difficile, the specimen must conform to the shape of the container. If the specimen contains only formed stool, do not collect it. If the specimen contains formed stool, it could identify patients who are colonized but not infected with C. Difficile, leading to unnecessary treatment.	Specimens are stable for up to 24 hours at room temperature (20-30°C) and up to 5 days refrigerated (2-8°C).
CMP	COMPREHENSIVE METABOLIC PANEL [LAB17]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. A gel separator tube is preferred if being transported to prevent glycolysis. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Specimens are stable for up to 24 hours at 20-25°C and 7 days at 4-8°C after separation from cells.
CO2 Total	CO2, TOTAL [LAB55]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Separate serum or plasma from cells promptly to minimize hemolysis.	Once separated from cells, specimen is stable for 1 day at 20- 25°C, 7 days at 4-8°C, and 2 weeks at -20°C when protected from exposure to air.
Cord Blood Evaluation	CORD BLOOD EVALUATION [LAB892]	Collect a 10 mL red top or 6 mL pink top tube properly labeled with maternal demographic information.	Send sample immediately to lab after collecting.
Cortisol		Serum is the recommended sample type. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder.
CRE Surveillance Screen		Collect a blue top BBL CultureSwab	Store and transport samples at room temperature (5-25°C). Specimens should be sent to lab within 24 hours of collection.
Creatinine	CREATININE, SERUM [LAB383]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Specimens are stable for up to 7 days at room temperature or refrigerated (4-25°C).
Creatinine Clearance, Urine, 24 Hour		Collect urine specimen in 24 hour collection container. If needed, a serum sample will be drawn. No Serum Creatinine collection will be requested for patients that have had a Serum Creatinine result in the past three days.	Serum sample is stable for up to 7 days at both room temperature and refrigerated (4-25°C). 24 hour urine sample must be kept refrigerated (4-8°C) and is stable for up to 4 days.
Creatinine, Fluid	CREATININE, BODY FLUID [LAB65]	Collect specimen in sterile container. If visibly blood, the specimen should be poured into a lithium heparinized tube to prevent clot formation. All samples should be centrifuged before processing.	Specimen should be sent to lab as soon as possible. Specimens are stable for up to 1 day at room temperature (20-25°C) or up to 7 days refrigerated (4-8°C).
Creatinine, Urine, 24h	CREATININE, URINE, 24 HOUR [LAB712]	Urine Creatinine measurements require no special patient preparation for specimen collection. Urine (random or 24 hour) specimens should be free of particulate matter. 24 hour urine collections require no preservatives. Specimens previously preserved with 6N HCl or Boric Acid are acceptable.	Urines (random or 24 hour collections) should be stored at 2 – 8 °C and analyzed within 4 days. Freeze for longer storage.
Creatinine, Urine, Random	CREATININE, URINE, RANDOM [LAB384]	Collect urine sample in a sterile container.	Urines (random or 24 hour collections) should be stored at 2 – 8 °C and analyzed within 4 days. Freeze for longer storage.
D-Dimer, Quantitative	D-DIMER, QUANTITATIVE [LAB313]	Fully collect a Blue Top (sodium citrate) tube. Underfilled tubes will not be accepted. Mix sample immediately by gentle inversion at least six times.	Specimens that are not centrifuged with plasma remaining in the the capped tube above the packed cells should be kept at 18-24°C and tested no longer than 4 hours after the time of collection. If testing cannot be performed within this time, platelet-poor plasma should be removed from the cells and frozen at -20°C for up to 2 weeks. To obtain platelet-poor plasma: centrifuge, separate plasma, re-centrifuge, and separate plasma into a transport tube.
Digoxin	DIGOXIN LEVEL [LAB23]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Samples are stable at room temperature (20-25°C) for up to 8 hours. For transporting, maintain the sample temperature at 2-8°C. Samples can be stored at 2-8°C for up to 7 days, and if needed, can be stored frozen (-20°C) for up to 6 months.
Direct Antiglobulin	DIRECT ANTIGLOBULIN TEST [LAB274]	Collect an EDTA purple top tube.	Send specimen to laboratory as soon as possible. Specimen is stable up to 24 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 48 hours refrigerated (4-8°C).
Drug Screen Panel, Urine	DRUG SCREEN PANEL, URINE [LAB677]	Collect urine in a sterile container. All drug screens performed at PMC are for medical purposes only. Any specimens that contain a high risk of being medico-legal MUST be collected and sealed with tamper-proof tape following proper collection procedures and accompanied with a Chain-of-Custody form.	Urine specimens with drug screens ordered are to be processed first by chemistry department and to be returned to chemistry for proper storage. Specimens are stable up to 7 days at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 30 days refrigerated (2-8°C).
EBV Early Ag, IgG	EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS EARLY ANTIGEN ANTIBODY, IGG [LAB654]	Serum samples only	Samples are stable up to 24 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 48 hours refrigerated (2-8°C). For shipping, specimens should be maintained at 2-8°C for no more than 2 days from sample collection. Otherwise, they should be stored at -20°C or below and transported with dry ice.
EBV Nuclear Antigen Antibody, IgG	EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS NUCLEAR ANTIGEN ANTIBODY, IGG [LAB793]	Serum samples only.	Samples are stable up to 24 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 48 hours refrigerated (2-8°C). For shipping, specimens should be maintained at 2-8°C for no more than 2 days from sample collection. Otherwise, they should be stored at -20°C or below and transported with dry ice.
EBV VCA, IgG	EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS VCA, IGG [LAB1730]	Collect a serum sample.	Samples are stable up to 24 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 48 hours refrigerated (2-8°C). For shipping, specimens should be maintained at 2-8°C for no more than 2 days from sample collection. Otherwise, they should be stored at -20°C or below and transported with dry ice.
EBV VCA, IgM	EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS VCA, IGM [LAB1731]	Collect a serum sample.	Samples are stable up to 24 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 48 hours refrigerated (2-8°C). For shipping, specimens should be maintained at 2-8°C for no more than 2 days from sample collection. Otherwise, they should be stored at -20°C or below and transported with dry ice.
Electrolytes Panel	ELECTROLYTE PANEL [LAB16]	Collect a Green Top (lithium heparin) or serum separator (SST). Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	After separation from cells, store at room temperature up to 4 hours. Can be refrigerated up to 1 week and frozen up to 1 month.
Epstein-Barr Virus Panel	EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS PANEL [LAB11006]	Collect a serum sample.	Samples are stable up to 24 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 48 hours refrigerated (2-8°C). For shipping, specimens should be maintained at 2-8°C for no more than 2 days from sample collection. Otherwise, they should be stored at -20°C or below and transported with dry ice.
Estradiol		Serum is the sample type of choice. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Samples are stable up to 8 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C).
Ethanol	BLOOD ALCOHOL [LAB46]	Recommended specimen type: serum, plasma (lithium heparin). Use non-alcohol germicidal solution to cleanse the skin. The specimen tube should be completely filled and stored under refrigeration until analyzed.	To minimize the losses of alcohol in a sample due to evaporation, open and process samples in STAT mode. If not analyzed immediately, specimens may be stored tightly closed and refrigerated at 2–8 °C for up to 3 days following collection. After 3 days, specimens should be stored frozen. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided.
Fecal Leukocytes	FECAL LEUKOCYTES [LAB265]	Collect stool in sterile container.	Send to lab for processing as soon as possible.
Fecal Occult Blood	OCCULT BLOOD X 1, STOOL [LAB694]	Collect a stool sample in a sterile container, or if applicable, send the Hemoccult SENSA test card to lab in a sterile container.	Send to lab as soon as possible. If necessary, samples are stable up to 14 days at room temperature (20-25°C).
Ferritin		Serum is the recommended sample type. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than 8 hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Thaw samples only once.
Fetal Fibronectin	FETAL FIBRONECTIN [LAB287]	For the most accurate testing, collect a sample via swab from patients who are between the gestational age of 22 and 35 weeks.	Specimens not tested within 8 hours of collection must be stored refrigerated at 2-8°C and assayed within 3 days of collection, or frozen and assayed within 3 months to avoid degradation of the analyte. Do not expose to temperatures above 25°C. Transport specimens at 2-25°C or frozen.
Fetal-Maternal Screen		Collect a purple top EDTA tube. For best results, collect one hour after delivery.	If not to be tested immediately after collection, store blood specimen at 1-10°C.
Fibrinogen Quantitative	FIBRINOGEN [LAB314]	Fully collect a Blue Top (sodium citrate) tube. Underfilled tubes will not be accepted. Mix sample immediately by gentle inversion at least six times.	Do not store on ice or at 2°-8°C as cold activation of F VII may alter the results. If immediate testing is to be done, the plasma may remain on the packed cells. Otherwise, plasma should be separated from the cells. To separate the plasma, use a plastic transfer pipette, without disturbing the buffy coat, and transfer plasma to a plastic tube. If the plasma cannot be tested within 4 hours of collection, freeze plasma within 2 hours of collection at ≤ -18°C.
Folate		Serum from fasting individuals is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	If the assay will not be completed immediately, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder.
Free T3		Serum is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder.
Free T4		Serum is the recommended sample type. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation in a vertical, closure up position.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C for up to 48 hours.
FSH		Serum is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder.
Gastric Analysis (pH)	GASTRIC PH [LAB510]	Collect a gastric aspirate obtained by nasogastric incubation or vomitus in a sterile container.	Samples should be tested immediately after collection. If this is not possible, the pH must be read within 30 seconds after sample application. If not developed immediately, store at controlled room temperature 15-30°C.
Gastroccult	OCCULT BLOOD GASTRIC / DUODENUM [LAB696]	A gastric aspirate obtained by nasogastric incubation or vomitus are appropriate samples.	It is recommended that samples be tested immediately after collection. If this is not possible, the pH must be read within 30 seconds after sample application, the Gastroccult area may be developed immediately or up to 4 days after sample application. If not developed immediately store at controlled room temperature 15-30°C.
Genital Culture	GENITAL CULTURE [LAB465]	Collect specimens in either a sterile container or appropriate transport media based on specific organisms expected. Otherwise, submit swab in Amies transport tube.	Transport specimens to the laboratory promptly: 30 minutes for aspirate or tissue samples for best recovery, optimally <2 hours for swab specimens (up to 24 hours if collected in suitable transport media).
Gentamicin, Peak	GENTAMICIN LEVEL, PEAK [LAB28]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Collect a peak serum or plasma sample 30 minutes after dose end of infusion. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Store and transport samples at 2-8°C for up to 6 weeks if testing is not immediate. If needed, they can be stored frozen for up to 6 months.
Gentamicin, Random	GENTAMICIN LEVEL, RANDOM [LAB27]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Store and transport samples at 2-8°C for up to 6 weeks if testing is not immediate. If needed, they can be stored frozen for up to 6 months.
Gentamicin, Trough	GENTAMICIN LEVEL, TROUGH [LAB26]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Collect a trough serum or plasma sample 30 minutes prior to next dose. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Store and transport samples at 2-8°C for up to 6 weeks if testing is not immediate. If needed, they can be stored frozen for up to 6 months.
GGT	GAMMA GT [LAB85]	Serum can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. Complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection. Specimens should be free of particulate matter.	Separated serum specimens are stable for 7 days at room temperature (20–25 °C), 7 days at 2–8 °C. For longer storage, specimens may be frozen at -20 °C or colder for up to 6 months.
GI Profile, Stool, PCR	GASTROINTESTINAL PANEL [LAB1901]	Collect in sterile container. Testing is only performed on unformed (liquid or soft) stool specimens (specimens that take the shape of the container).	Specimen is stable for up to 4 days at both room temperature (15-25°C) and refrigerated (2-8°C) if placed in Cary Blair transport media according to manufacturer's instructions.
Gliadin Antibodies	GLIADIN ANTIBODIES, SERUM [LAB725]
Gliadin Antibody, IgA	GLIADIN ANTIBODY, IGA [LAB871]
Gliadin Antibody, IgG	GLIADIN ANTIBODY, IGG [LAB872]
Glucose, 1 Hour, Postprandial	GLUCOSE, 1 HOUR, POSTPRANDIAL [LAB2560]	Collect a plasma or serum sample 1 hour after Glucola administration.	Specimens are stable for up to 8 hours when stored at 15-25°C or up to 72 hours when stored at 2-8°C. Specimens that will not be tested within 5 days should be stored at -20°C or lower immediately after collection.
Glucose, Body Fluid	GLUCOSE, BODY FLUID [LAB186]	Collect specimen in a sterile container. Specimen should be transferred to a lithium heparinized tube if visibly blood to prevent clot formation. All specimens should be centrifuged before processing.	Body fluid specimens should be sent to the lab as soon as possible. Specimens that are not to be tested immediately should be stored at 2-8°C and analyzed as soon as possible.
Glucose, CSF	GLUCOSE, CSF [LAB185]	Collect CSF in sterile containers. Tubes should be labeled appropriately indicating the order of collection.	Specimens should be sent to lab as soon as possible. Otherwise, cerebrospinal fluid specimens can be stored between 2-8°C for up to 5 days if protected from evaporation.
Glucose, Fasting	GLUCOSE, FASTING [LAB81]	Patient must be fasting for 8 hours. Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Specimens are stable for up to 8 hours when stored at 15-25°C or up to 72 hours when stored at 2-8°C. Specimens that will not be tested within 5 days should be stored at -20°C or lower immediately after collection.
Glucose, Random	GLUCOSE, RANDOM [LAB82]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Specimens are stable for up to 8 hours when stored at 15-25°C or up to 72 hours when stored at 2-8°C. Specimens that will not be tested within 5 days should be stored at -20°C or lower immediately after collection.
Gram Stain	GRAM STAIN [LAB250]	Collection requirements depend on specimen type. Refer to procedure C6910.1503 Specimen Collection and Transport for instructions.	Shipping and handing instructions depend on specimen type. Refer to procedure C6910.1503 Specimen Collection and Transport for instructions.
Group B Strep Screen	STREP B SCREEN [LAB1377]	Collect specimen using a blue top BBL CultureSwab. Swab the lower vagina (vaginal introitus), followed by the rectum (i.e., insert swab through the anal sphincter) using the same swab. Move swab from side to side, or rotate the swab at the collection site, allowing several seconds for absorption of organisms by the swab. Cervical, perianal, perirectal, or perineal specimens are not acceptable, and a speculum should not be used for culture collection.	Transport swab to the laboratory within 4 days of collection. Store specimen at refrigerated temperature if transport time is more than 24 hours since the recovery of isolates decline over one to four days.
GTT, 1 Hour		Collect a serum or lithium heparinized plasma sample 1 hour after Glucola administration. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Specimens are stable for up to 8 hours when stored at 15-25°C or up to 72 hours when stored at 2-8°C. Specimens that will not be tested within 5 days should be stored at -20°C or lower immediately after collection.
GTT, 2 Hour		Collect a serum or lithium heparinized plasma sample 2 hours after Glucola administration. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Specimens are stable for up to 8 hours when stored at 15-25°C or up to 72 hours when stored at 2-8°C. Specimens that will not be tested within 5 days should be stored at -20°C or lower immediately after collection.
GTT, 3 Hour		Collect a serum or lithium heparinized plasma sample 3 hours after Glucola administration. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Specimens are stable for up to 8 hours when stored at 15-25°C or up to 72 hours when stored at 2-8°C. Specimens that will not be tested within 5 days should be stored at -20°C or lower immediately after collection.
GTT, 4 Hour		Collect a serum or lithium heparinized plasma sample 4 hours after Glucola administration. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Specimens are stable for up to 8 hours when stored at 15-25°C or up to 72 hours when stored at 2-8°C. Specimens that will not be tested within 5 days should be stored at -20°C or lower immediately after collection.
GTT, 5 Hour		Collect a serum or lithium heparinized plasma sample 5 hours after Glucola administration. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Specimens are stable for up to 8 hours when stored at 15-25°C or up to 72 hours when stored at 2-8°C. Specimens that will not be tested within 5 days should be stored at -20°C or lower immediately after collection.
GTT, Fasting		Patient must be fasting for 8 hours. Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Specimens are stable for up to 8 hours when stored at 15-25°C or up to 72 hours when stored at 2-8°C. Specimens that will not be tested within 5 days should be stored at -20°C or lower immediately after collection.
H & H	HEMOGLOBIN AND HEMATOCRIT, BLOOD [LAB753]	Invert immediately and gently mix with anticoagulant.	Can maintain specimen at room temperature up to 24 hours. Refrigerate up to 48 hours. Do not freeze.
H. pylori Ag, Stool		Collect stool specimens into a clean airtight container with no preservatives.	Store refrigerated for up to 72 hours. Bring to room temperature immediately before testing.
Haptoglobin	HAPTOGLOBIN [LAB89]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.	Samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 to 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below −20 °C for up to three months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples, which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15,000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter.
HCG Qualitative, Blood	HCG, SERUM, QUALITATIVE [LAB144]	Serum or plasma samples (lithium heparin). Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture.	Samples should be kept at 4 °C and analyzed within 7 days. For longer storage, samples may be frozen at -20 °C or colder.
HCG Qualitative, Urine	HCG, URINE, QUALITATIVE [LAB9999]	Collect a first morning voided urine specimen in a sterile urine collection container.	If testing is not immediate following collection, specimens are stable for up to 48 hours refrigerated (2-8°C) and if necessary, specimens may be frozen and stored at or below -20°C. Ensure screw-cap lid is secure before transport to avoid leakage. Double bag all fluid specimens being sent to the lab via pneumatic tube system.
HCG Quantitative, Blood	HCG, TUMOR MARKER [LAB752]	Serum is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than 8 hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Frozen specimens can be stored up to six months before testing. Thaw samples only once.
HDL Cholesterol	HDL CHOLESTEROL [LAB101]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Serum or plasma should not remain at 15-30°C for longer than 14 hours. If analysis is not completed within 14 hours, serum or plasma may be stored at 2-8°C for up to 1 week. If specimens need to be stored for more than 1 week, they may be preserved at less than -70°C for up to 3 months.
Hematocrit	HEMATOCRIT [LAB289]	Invert immediately and gently mix with anticoagulant.	Can maintain specimen at room temperature up to 24 hours. Refrigerate up to 48 hours. Do not freeze.
Hemoglobin	HEMOGLOBIN [LAB291]	Invert immediately and gently mix with anticoagulant.	Can maintain specimen at room temperature up to 24 hours. Refrigerate up to 48 hours. Do not freeze.
Hemoglobin A1c		Samples should be mixed gently by inversion 10 times by hand or by rocker prior to testing. Avoid the formation of foam.	Store at room temperature up to 72 hours. Can be refrigerated up to 1 week.
Hep B Core Antibody, IGM		Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation. Serum should be separated from the red blood cells as soon as possible.	Specimen is stable up to 4 days at room temperature (18-30°C) and up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C). Otherwise, they should be aliquoted and frozen at -20°C or lower.
Hep B Surface Antigen		Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation. Serum should be separated from the red blood cells as soon as possible.	Specimen is stable up to 3 days at room temperature (18-30°C) and up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C). Otherwise, they should be aliquoted and frozen at -20°C or lower.
Heparin Xa, Unfractionated	HEPARIN ANTI XA [LAB11007]	Fully collect a Blue Top (sodium citrate) tube. Underfilled tubes will not be accepted. Mix sample immediately by gentle inversion at least six times.	Specimens that are not centrifuged with plasma remaining in the the capped tube above the packed cells should be kept at 18-24°C and tested no longer than 4 hours after the time of collection. If testing cannot be performed within this time, platelet-poor plasma should be removed from the cells and frozen at -20°C for up to 2 weeks. To obtain platelet-poor plasma: centrifuge, separate plasma, re-centrifuge, and separate plasma into a transport tube.
Heparin-Induced Platelet Antibody	HEPARIN-INDUCED PLATELET ANTIBODY [LAB766]	Fully collect a Blue Top (sodium citrate) tube. Underfilled tubes will not be accepted. Mix sample immediately by gentle inversion at least six times.	Must be walked to lab. Do not use pneumatic tube system. Specimens that are not centrifuged with plasma remaining in the the capped tube above the packed cells should be kept at 18-24°C and tested no longer than 4 hours after the time of collection. If testing cannot be performed within this time, platelet-poor plasma should be removed from the cells and frozen at -20°C for up to 2 weeks. To obtain platelet-poor plasma: centrifuge, separate plasma, re-centrifuge, and separate plasma into a transport tube.
Hepatic Function Panel	HEPATIC FUNCTION PANEL [LAB20]	Collect a Green Top (lithium heparin) or serum separator (SST). Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	Sample should be protected from light. Submit to lab as soon as possible. For transport, samples should be stored at 4-8°C and analyzed within 5 days. For longer storage, samples may be frozen at -20 °C or colder for up to 1 month.
Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM		Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation. Separate from red blood cells as soon as possible.	Samples are stable at room temperature (15-30°C) for up to 2 days and up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C). Otherwise, samples should be aliquoted and stored at -20°C or below.
Hepatitis C Antibody		Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation. Serum should be separated from red blood cells as soon as possible.	Samples are stable up to 4 days at room temperature (18-30°C) and up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C). Otherwise, they should be aliquoted and stored for up to 3 months frozen (-20°C or below).
Hepatitis Panel, Acute		Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation. Separate from red blood cells as soon as possible.	Samples are stable at room temperature (15-30°C) for up to 2 days and up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C). Otherwise, samples should be aliquoted and stored at -20°C or below.
High Sensitivity CRP (Cardiac)	C-REATIVE PROTEIN, HIGH SENSITIVITY (CARDIAC) [LAB150]	Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, lavender-top (EDTA) tube, or green-top (heparin) tube	Separate serum or plasma from cells within one hour of collection. Stable at room temperature (20-25°C) for up to 11 days and up to 2 moths refrigerated (4-8°C).
HIV Ag/Ab (4th Gen)		Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation.	Samples are stable for up to 72 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C). Otherwise, samples should be stored at -20°C or colder and are stable for up to 30 days.
IgA	IGA [LAB73]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.	Serum and plasma samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 - 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below -20 °C for up to three months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15,000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter.
IgE	IGE [LAB74]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.	Samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 - 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below -20 °C for up to three months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples, which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15,000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter. Lipemic samples should be avoided.
IgG	IGG [LAB71]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.	Serum and plasma samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 - 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below -20 °C for up to three months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15,000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter.
IgM	IGM [LAB72]	Recommended specimen types: serum or heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture ^.For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection^.	Samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 - 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below -20 °C for up to three months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples, which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15,000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter.
Immunoglobulin Panel (GAME)	IMMUNOGLOBULIN PANEL (GAME) [109983]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.	Serum and plasma samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 - 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below -20 °C for up to three months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15,000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter.
Insulin		Serum is the recommended sample type. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 24 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Thaw samples only once.
Ionized Calcium	CALCIUM, IONIZED [LAB54]	Collect in either a non-gel Lithium Heparinized tube or Heparinized syringe. Deliver immediately to lab or if delay is expected it should be placed in an ice slurry. Specimen should be gently inverted, by hand or by rocker, a minium of 10 times to ensure homogeneity prior to testing.	Samples should be sent to lab as soon as possible (up to 15 minutes from draw to optimize sample quality).
Iron	IRON [LAB94]	Recommended specimen types: serum, plasma (lithium heparin). Blood collection tubes containing EDTA, a strong chelator of metal ions, sodium citrate, or a combination of potassium oxalate and sodium fluoride should not be used. Hemolyzed samples may give elevated IRON results and should not be used with the IRON method. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture.	Complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection. Specimens may be kept at 4 °C for up to 7 days and may be frozen at -20 °C for up to 6 months.
Kleihauer-Betke Stain	KLEIHAUER-BETKE STAIN(MODIFIED) [LAB762]	A maternal blood sample should be collected in a purple top EDTA tube as soon as possible, post-delivery. Check with the lab before ordering as an add-on test	For optimal results, testing should be performed within 24 hours of sample collection. Sample may be stored at 2-8°C until tested.
KOH Prep	KOH PREP [LAB251]	Specimens may be any type of clinical material but is especially useful with skin, hair, nail, and sputum clinical specimens. Fluids such as CSF generally do not need to be treated with KOH.	Send to lab as soon as possible. Shipping and handing instructions depend on specimen type. Refer to procedure C6910.1503 Specimen Collection and Transport for instructions.
Lactate	LACTIC ACID, VENOUS [LAB95]	Collect a gray top blood sample for testing. Separate plasma from cells within 15 minutes of collection.	Samples should be sent to the lab following collection as soon as possible for optimal results. Samples are stable for up to 8 hours at room temperature (15-25°C) and up to 14 days refrigerated (2-8°C).
Lactate Dehydrogenase	LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE [LAB96]	Recommended specimen types: Serum and plasma (lithium heparin). Phlebotomies to obtain samples for LDI activity concentration should be carefully done to avoid hemolysis since the abundant lactate dehydrogenase in red blood cells can contaminate such samples. Hemolyzed samples should not be used with the LDI method. Serum or plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture.	For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection. For plasma, make sure separated specimen is free of platelet contamination. Platelets contain high activity concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase. Separated serum and plasma samples are stable at 20 – 25 °C for 3 days. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Activity of LD-4 and LD-5 isoenzymes are lost if the samples are stored below ambient temperatures.
Lactate Dehydrogenase, Body Fluid	LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE, BODY FLUID [LAB188]	Collect in a sterile container. If visibly bloody, the specimen should be poured into a lithium heparinized tube to prevent clot formation.	Specimen should be transported to lab as soon as possible. If specimen transport is prolonged, refrigerate.
Lactate, CSF	LACTIC ACID, CSF [LAB187]	Collect CSF in sterile containers. Tubes should be labeled appropriately indicating the order of collection.	Specimens should be analyzed as soon as possible after collection. Samples are stable for up to 24 hours refrigerated at 2-8°C.
Lactic Acid, Whole Blood	LACTIC ACID, WHOLE BLOOD [LAB730]	Collect in either a non-gel Lithium Heparinized tube or Heparinized syringe. Deliver immediately to lab or if delay is expected it should be placed in an ice slurry. Specimen should be gently inverted, by hand or by rocker, a minium of 10 times to ensure homogeneity prior to testing.	Samples should be sent to lab as soon as possible (up to 15 minutes from draw to optimize sample quality).
LDL		Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	A fresh sample is preferred when possible. If analysis is delayed, specimens are stable for up to 7 days when stored refrigerated at 4-8°C or if necessary, for up to 3 months frozen at -20°C.
Legionella Antigen, Urine	LEGIONELLA ANTIGEN, URINE [LAB886]	Urine specimen should be collected in a standard urine sterile container.	For urine specimens, store at room temperature (15-30°C) if assayed within 24 hours of collection. Alternatively, store urine refrigerated at 2-8°C for up to 14 days or frozen at -20°C or lower for longer periods before testing. When necessary, urine specimens should be shipped in leak proof containers at 2-8°C or frozen.
Lipase	LIPASE [LAB99]	Recommended specimen types: Serum and plasma (lithium heparin). EDTA, potassium oxalate, sodium fluoride and citrate have been shown to inhibit lipase results and should not be used. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture.	Samples are stable for 24 hours at room temperature, 7 days at 2–8 °C. For longer storage, samples may be frozen at -20 °C or colder for up to a year. Specimens should be free of particulate matter. Bacterial contamination of the specimen may cause increased lipase values.
Lipase, Fluid	LIPASE, BODY FLUID [LAB2329]	Collect in a sterile container. If visibly blood, the specimen should be poured into a lithium heparinized tube to prevent clot formation. All samples should be centrifuged before processing.	Specimen should be transported to lab as soon as possible. If specimen transport is prolonged, refrigerate.
Lipid Panel	LIPID PANEL [LAB18]	Collect a Green Top (lithium heparin) or serum separator (SST). Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection.	After separation from cells, store at room temperature up to 24 hours. Can be refrigerated up to 5 days and frozen up to 3 months.
Lithium	LITHIUM LEVEL [LAB29]	Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation. It is recommended that a standardized 12-hour post-dose Lithium concentration be used to assess adequate therapy. Peak concentration is reached 2 to 4 hours after oral dose.	Samples are stable for up to 1 week refrigerated at 2-8°C or for up to 1 year when stored and transported frozen at -20°C or lower.
Luteinizing Hormone		Serum is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Thaw samples only once.
Magnesium		Recommended specimen types: serum, plasma (lithium heparin). Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture.	Complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection. Magnesium in serum is stable when stored for 7 days at 20-25 °C or 7 days at 2-8 °C. Separated specimens may be stored frozen for up to 12 months at -20 °C or colder.
Magnesium 24hr Urine	MAGNESIUM, URINE, 24 HOUR [LAB406]	Collect a 24-hour urine in a 24-hour dark plastic urine container. Refrigerate during collection.	After 24-hour collection, transport urine specimen promptly to the laboratory.
Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel		Collect CSF in sterile containers according to standard procedures. Tubes should be labeled appropriately indicating the order of collection.	Specimens should be processed and tested as soon as possible, though they may be stored for up to 1 day at room temperature (20-25°C), or refrigerated (2-8°C) for up to 7 days.
Methemoglobin	METHEMOGLOBIN [LAB91]	Collect in a Lithium Heparinized un-opened tube.	Transport to lab immediately. It is recommended for samples to be analyzed within 15 minutes from draw to optimize sample quality. If a delay is expected, place specimen on ice slurry.
Microalbumin, Urine, 24h	MICROALBUMIN, URINE, 24 HOUR [LAB410]	Instruct the patient to void at the beginning of the collection period and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the collection period. Refigerate the specimen during collection. Record the date and time the collection started and the date and time the collection finished. The use of frozen urine samples is not recommended. Each urine sample must be centrifuged (10 minutes at approximately 15 000 x g) prior to testing.	Refrigerate during collection. Can be stored at room temperature up to 2 weeks. Can be refrigerated for 1 week and frozen for 1 year.
Microalbumin, Urine, Random	MICROALBUMIN, URINE, RANDOM [LAB546]	Biological fluid samples should be collected in the same manner routinely used for any laboratory test. Urine is the only sample type recommended for MA. Urine samples should be collected without a preservative.	Urine samples may be stored at +2°C to +8°C for up to 72 hours. Frozen samples are not recommended.
Mixing Study	MIXING STUDY [LAB2311]	Fully collect a Blue Top (sodium citrate) tube. Underfilled tubes will not be accepted. Mix sample immediately by gentle inversion at least six times.	Specimens that are not centrifuged with plasma remaining in the the capped tube above the packed cells should be kept at 18-24°C and tested no longer than 4 hours after the time of collection. If testing cannot be performed within this time, platelet-poor plasma should be removed from the cells and frozen at -20°C for up to 2 weeks. To obtain platelet-poor plasma: centrifuge, separate plasma, re-centrifuge, and separate plasma into a transport tube.
MMRV Immunity Panel	MMR IMMUNITY PANEL [LAB2568]	Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation.	Samples should be sent immediately to lab at room temperature (20-25°C). If needed, samples are stable for up to 3 days refrigerated at 2-8°C and for longer frozen at -20°C or below.
Mononucleosis Screen
MRSA PCR Screen	MRSA PCR SCREEN [LAB14792]	Collect a nasal swab specimen (Refer to policy C6910.1812 for additional collection details). Swabs for specimen collection, such as the swabs supplied in the Cepheid Sample Collection Device (Dual Rayon Swab in Liquid Stuart Medium) or the Copan Dual Rayon Swab and Transport Systems (139C LQ STUART) or Liquid Amies Elution Swab (ESwab) Collection and Transport System (Copan 480C, Copan 480CE or BD ESwab Collection Kit) are acceptable.	Specimens should be sent to the lab as soon as possible. Samples are stable for up to 24 hours at room temperature (15-30°C) and up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C).
Mumps Antibody, IgG		Serum specimens collected in either a Gold top gel separator tube or a Red top tube.	Refrigerate up to 9 days.
Myoglobin		Lithium heparin plasma is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Physically separate plasma from contact with cells as soon as possible.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 24 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Thaw samples only once.
N gonorrhoeae Culture	GONOCOCCUS CULTURE [LAB235]	Provider collects swab and sends to Lab ASAP (Refer to policy C6910.1532 for additional information).	Transport to the lab as soon as possible, must be transported within 24 hours of collection at room temperature for optimal organism recovery.
Nasal Culture	NASAL CULTURE [LAB229]	Use routine culture swabs for bacterial culture. Insert a sterile swab into the nose until resistance is met at the level of the turbinates (approximately 2-3 cm into the nose). Rotate the swab against the nasal mucosa. Repeat the process on the other side.	Send to lab ASAP. If swab cannot be plated immediately, then refrigerate swab.
NT pro-BNP		Lithium Heparin Plasma is the specimen type of choice. Serum may also be used. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Samples are stable for up to 72 hours at room temperature (15-25°C) and up to 6 days refrigerated (2-10°C). Otherwise, samples are stable for 15 days frozen (-15 to -30°C).
Osmolality, Serum	OSMOLALITY, SERUM [LAB107]	Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation.	It is recommended that samples be tested within 24 hours of collection for optimal results. Samples are stable for up to 48 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) and refrigerated (2-8°C).
Osmolality, Urine	OSMOLALITY, URINE, RANDOM [LAB420]	Collect urine in a standard urine sterile container.	Urine specimens should be tested as soon as possible after collection in order to obtain accurate osmolality results. When immediate processing of results is not possible, they can be refrigerated or stored at room temperature (20-25°C) or refrigerated (2-8°C) for up to 24 hours without significant bias in results.
Oxycodone Screen, Urine	OXYCODONE SCREEN, URINE, QUALITATIVE [LAB422]	Collect urine in a standard urine sterile container.	Specimens are stable for up to 7 days at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 2 months refrigerated (2-8°C). For longer storage prior to analysis, urine specimens may be stored frozen at -20°C.
P2Y12	P2Y12 INHIBITION [LAB2570]	Collect 1 red top tube before collecting 1 full (2 if possible) Greiner Bio-One vacuette tube. Underfilled tubes will not be accepted. Mix sample immediately by gentle inversion at least six times.	Must be walked to lab. Do no use pneumatic tube system. Samples must be stored at room temperature and must be tested within 4 hours.
Pancreatic Elastase, Fecal		Collect stool specimens into a clean airtight container with no preservatives.	Samples are stable for up to 8 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C).
Pathology Review		If smear for review is on a blood specimen, collect an EDTA purple top tube. If smear for review is on a body fluid, collect fluid in a sterile container.	Pathology review specimens should be sent to lab as soon as possible. For blood specimens, specimens are stable for up to 24 hours at room temperature and up to 48 hours refrigerated at 2-8°C. Do not freeze. For body fluid specimens, maintain specimen at room temperature for up to 4 hours. Refrigerate at 2-8°C for up to 24 hours. Do not freeze.
pH, Body Fluid	PH, BODY FLUID [LAB110]	Collect body fluid specimens in a sterile container.	Specimen is stable up to 2 hours at room temperature (20-25°C). If sample transport will be prolonged, refrigerate specimen at 2-8°C.
Phenobarbital	PHENOBARBITAL LEVEL [LAB30]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	If specimen will be analyzed immediately after sampling, specimen may be sent to lab at room temperature (20-25°C). For transport, specimen is stable up to 1 month refrigerated at 2-8°C and up to 3 months frozen.
Phenytoin, Total	PHENYTOIN LEVEL, TOTAL [LAB31]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	If specimen will be analyzed immediately after sampling, specimen may be sent to lab at room temperature (20-25°C). For transport, specimen is stable up to 1 month refrigerated at 2-8°C and up to 3 months frozen.
Phosphorus	PHOSPHORUS [LAB113]	Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation.	Samples are stable up to 8 hours when stored at room temperature (15-25°C) and up to one week when stored refrigerated at 2-8°C.
Phosphorus, Urine, 24h	PHOSPHORUS, URINE, 24 HOUR [LAB11022]	Instruct the patient to void at 8 AM and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (ie, 8 AM the next morning). Screw the lid on securely. Mix well. pH must be 0 to 2. Collection of 24 hour urine specimen should be made in a container with 10 to 20 mL of 6M HCl.	Specimens submitted without preservative should be acidified after receipt to pH <2.0 with 6N HCl. When acidified with HCl, urine phosphate is stable for up to 6 months.
Phosphorus, Urine, Random	PHOSPHORUS, URINE, RANDOM [LAB427]	Collect urine in a sterile urine collection container.	Specimens should be sent to lab for analysis as soon as possible.
Pinworm Prep	PINWORM PREP [LAB248]	Pinworm paddles used for collection can be obtained through the laboratory. Scotch tape is not acceptable.	Specimen must be promptly delivered to the laboratory for testing. Specimen must be refrigerated if examination is to be delayed for more than one day.
Platelet Aggregation Studies	PLATELET FUNCTION [LAB2313]	Fully collect a Blue Top (sodium citrate) tube. Underfilled tubes will not be accepted. Mix sample immediately by gentle inversion at least six times.	Samples MUST be walked to laboratory for testing. Do NOT use the pneumatic tube system. Samples must be stored undisturbed at room temperature and must be tested within 4 hours of collection. Do not freeze or refrigerate.
Platelet count	PLATELET COUNT [LAB301]	Collect a purple top EDTA tube. Invert immediately and gently mix with anticoagulant.	Can maintain specimen at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Refrigerate at 2-8°C for up to 48 hours. Do not freeze.
Post Vasectomy Analysis	SEMEN ANALYSIS, POST-VASECTOMY [LAB891]	For post vasectomy semen analysis, sample should be collected after a minimum of two but no longer than seven days of sexual abstinence by the collector. Collect specimen in a seminal collection device or in a sterile container, careful to collect total ejaculate (all drops).	The specimen should be kept in a protected environment at approximately body temperature (between 20˚ and 37˚C) until delivery into lab. Testing in the laboratory should commence within one hour of specimen procurement.
Potassium	POTASSIUM [LAB114]	Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation. Separate serum from red blood cells as soon as possible to minimize hemolysis.	If analysis will occur immediately after collection, room temperature is acceptable. Samples are stable up to one week when stored refrigerated (2-8°C).
Potassium, Urine, 24h	POTASSIUM, URINE, 24 HOUR [LAB436]	Collect a 24-hour urine in a 24-hour dark plastic urine container. Instruct the patient to void at 8 AM and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (ie, 8 AM the next morning). Screw the lid on securely. Mix well. Container must be labeled with the patient's full name and dates and times of collections. Twenty-four hour urine collection for sodium, potassium and chloride should be made without addition of preservatives. Store at 2–8 °C or frozen for delayed analysis. Refrigerate during collection.	Potassium is stable in urine for 45 days when stored at room temperature (20-25°C) or refrigerated (2-8°C).
Potassium, Urine, Random	POTASSIUM, URINE, RANDOM [LAB434]	Collect urine in a sterile urine collection container.	Potassium is stable in urine for up to 45 days when stored at room temperature (20-25°C) or refrigerated (2-8°C).
Prealbumin	PREALBUMIN [LAB115]	Recommended specimen types: serum or heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture.	For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection. Samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 to 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below −20 °C for up to one year, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples, which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15 000 x g) prior to testing.
Procalcitonin		Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (20 to 35°C) for no longer than 16 hours. If the assay will not be completed within 16 hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-30°C to -15°C for up to 75 days. Do not thaw samples more than 3 times.
Progesterone		Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Progesterone is stable in serum and lithium heparinized plasma for up to 8 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 2 days refrigerated (2-10°C). If necessary, specimens may be frozen at -15°C or colder for up to 30 days.
Prolactin		Serum is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Thaw samples only once.
Protein / Creatinine Ratio, Urine		Collect in sterile container.	If immediate analysis occurs after sample collection, specimen is acceptable at room temperature (20-25°C). Otherwise, specimen is stable for up to 48 hours refrigerated (2-8°C).
Protein Total	PROTEIN, TOTAL [LAB118]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Total protein is stable for up to 6 days at room temperature (20-25°C) and up to 4 weeks refrigerated (4-8°C).
Protein, Body Fluid		Collect specimen in a sterile container. If visably bloody, specimen should be poured into a lithium heparinized tubes to prevent clot formation. All specimens should be centrifuged before processing.	Samples should be sent to laboratory as soon as possible. If transport is prolonged, refrigerate and transport refrigerated at 2-8°C.
Protein, CSF		Collect CSF in sterile containers. Tubes should be labeled appropriately indicating the order of collection.	Samples should be transported to lab immediately for analysis. If necessary, samples are stable for up to 72 hours refrigerated at 4°C.
Protein, Urine, 24h		Instruct patient to void at 8 AM and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (ie, 8 AM the following day). Mix well. Screw the lid on securely. Container must be labeled with patient's name and date and time collection started and finished.	Refrigerate during collection. Samples are stable for up to 48 hours when stored refrigerated at 2-8°C.
Protein, Urine, Random		Collect urine in a sterile urine collection container.	If analysis is to be completed immediately after sample collection, room temperature is acceptable. Otherwise, samples are stable up to 48 hours refrigerated at 2-8°C.
Protime-INR	PROTIME-INR [LAB320]	Completely fill the Blue Top (sodium citrate) tube. Underfilled tubes will not be accepted. Mix sample immediately by gentle inversion at least six times.	Specimens un-centrifuged or that are centrifuged with plasma remaining in the capped tube above the packed cells should be kept at 18-24°C and tested no longer than 24 hours after the time of collection. If testing cannot be performed within this time, platelet-poor plasma should be removed from the cells and frozen at -20°C for up to 2 weeks. To obtain platelet-poor plasma: centrifuge, separate plasma, re-centrifuge, and separate plasma into a transport tube.
PSA, Free	PSA, FREE [LAB13153]	Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation.	If the specimen will be used for free PSA testing, it should be centrifuged and refrigerated within 3 hours of blood draw. If the serum sample is to be assayed within 24 hours after collection, the specimen should be stored in a refrigerator at 2-8°C. Specimens held for longer times (up to 5 months) should be frozen at -20°C or colder.
PSA, Total, Diagnostic	PSA, TOTAL, DIAGNOSTIC [LAB156868]	Serum is the recommended sample. Only blood drawn by anacceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation.	If analysis is to be completed immediately after collection, room temperature is acceptable. Otherwise, specimens should be kept refrigerated at 2-8°C for up to 24 hours or if necessary, can be stored up to 5 months frozen at -20°C or lower.
PSA, Total, Screen	PSA, TOTAL, SCREENING [LAB171]	Serum is the recommended sample. Only blood drawn by anacceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation.	If analysis is to be completed immediately after collection, room temperature is acceptable. Otherwise, specimens should be kept refrigerated at 2-8°C for up to 24 hours or if necessary, can be stored up to 5 months frozen at -20°C or lower.
PTH, Intact		Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation.	Sample is stable for up to 4 hours at room temperature (15-30°C) and up to 8 hours refrigerated (2-8°C). If the assay will not be completed within 8 hours, or for transport of samples, freeze at -20°C or colder for up to 6 months.
Quantiferon TB Gold	QUANTIFERON TB GOLD [LAB14718]	LIAISON® QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus assay is performed on plasma samples collected, handled and processed with QIAGEN QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) Blood Collection Tubes. Whole blood samples must be collected and processed in accordance with the QIAGEN QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus Blood Collection Tubes instructions for use. Collect 1 mL of blood into each of 4 QFT-Plus tubes using proper venipuncture procedure. The black mark on the side of the tubes indicates the required volume range of 0.8-1.2 mL. Shake tubes firmly 10 times after collection. If using the ‘QFT-Plus Kit’, return all 4 properly filled and labeled tubes to the box. Place entire box in biohazard bag for transport to processing laboratory.	Send to lab as soon as possible after collection. Tubes must be placed in a 37º ±1ºC incubator in an upright position within 14 hours of collection.
Reducing Substance, Urine	REDUCING SUBSTANCE, URINE [LAB554]	Collect a fresh urine in a sterile urine collection container.	Specimens should be tested as soon as possible since glucose and other reducing sugars are consumed by bacteria. If testing cannot be done within an hour, refrigerate specimen immediately.
Renal Function Panel	RENAL FUNCTION PANEL [LAB19]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Specimens are stable for up to 8 hours when stored at 15-25°C or up to 72 hours when stored at 2-8°C. Specimens that will not be tested within 5 days should be stored at -20°C or lower immediately after collection.
Respiratory Culture		Collect sputum sample in a sterile container, first morning sputum is preferred.	Transport sputum in a sterile container to lab within 2 hours. If processing is delayed, refrigerate at 2-8°C (a delay of processing of > 2 hours may result in loss of recovery of fastidious pathogens and overgrowth of gram negative bacilli).
Respiratory Panel by PCR (COVID/Flu/RSV)	RESPIRATORY (FLU A&B/COVID/RSV) PANEL BY PCR [LAB14568]	Insert the swab into either nostril, passing it into the posterior nasopharynx. Rotate swab by firmly brushing against the nasopharynx several times. Remove and place the swab into the tube containing 3 mL of viral transport medium. Break swab at the indicated break line and cap the specimen collection tube tightly.	Nasopharyngeal swab can be stored at room temperature (15-30°C) for up to 24 hours in viral transport medium until testing is performed on the GeneXpert Instrument Systems. Alternatively, nasopharyngeal swab, nasal swab, and nasal wash/aspirate specimens can be stored refrigerated (2–8 °C) up to seven days in viral transport medium until testing is performed on the GeneXpert Instrument Systems
Reticulocytes	RETICULOCYTES [LAB296]	Collect a purple top EDTA tube. Invert immediately and gently mix with anticoagulant.	Can maintain specimen at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Refrigerate at 2-8°C for up to 48 hours. Do not freeze.
Rheumatoid Factor, Qual	RHEUMATOID FACTOR, QUALITATIVE [LAB1195]	Recommended specimen types: serum or lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.	Samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 to 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below −20 °C for up to three months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples, which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15 000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter.
Rheumatoid Factor, Quant	RHEUMATOID FACTOR, QUANTITATIVE [LAB206]	Recommended specimen types: serum or lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.	Samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 to 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below −20 °C for up to three months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples, which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15 000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter.
RPR		Separate serum from cells ASAP. Plasma is also acceptable if testing is completed before the specimen is 48 hours old.	After separation from cells, store at room temperature up to 2 days. Can be refrigerated up to 2 weeks and frozen up to 1 year. Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles.
Rubella Antibody IgG		Serum specimens collected in either Gold top gel separator tubes or Red top tubes.	If analysis is to be completed immediately after collection, room temperature is acceptable. Otherwise, specimens are stable for up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C) and if necessary, they should be aliquoted and stored frozen at -20°C or below.
Rubeola Antibody, IgG		Serum specimens collected in either a Gold top gel separator tube or a Red top tube.	If analysis is to be completed immediately after collection, room temperature is acceptable. Otherwise, specimens are stable for up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C) and if necessary, they should be aliquoted and stored frozen at -20°C or below.
Salicylate	SALICYLATE LEVEL [LAB34]	Collect a red top tube. Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation.	If analysis is to be completed immediately after collection, room temperature is acceptable. Otherwise, store and transport samples refrigerated at 2-8°C.
SARS-COV-2 PCR	SARS COV2 PCR BY CEPHEID [LAB600]	Insert the swab into either nostril, passing it into the posterior nasopharynx. Rotate swab by firmly brushing against the nasopharynx several times. Remove and place the swab into the tube containing 3 mL of viral transport medium. Break swab at the indicated break line and cap the specimen collection tube tightly.	Nasopharyngeal swab can be stored at room temperature (15-30°C) for up to 24 hours in viral transport medium until testing is performed on the GeneXpert Instrument Systems. Alternatively, nasopharyngeal swab, nasal swab, and nasal wash/aspirate specimens can be stored refrigerated (2–8 °C) up to seven days in viral transport medium until testing is performed on the GeneXpert Instrument Systems.
Sedimentation Rate	SEDIMENTATION RATE, AUTOMATED [LAB322]
Semen Analysis	SEMEN ANALYSIS [LAB216]	Sample should be collected after a minimum of two but no longer than seven days of sexual abstinence by the collector. Collect specimen in a seminal collection device or in a sterile container, careful to collect total ejaculate (all drops).	The specimen should be kept in a protected environment at approximately body temperature (between 20˚ and 37˚C) until delivery into lab. Testing in the laboratory should commence within one hour of specimen procurement.
Sodium	SODIUM [LAB122]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	If analysis will occur immediately after collection, room temperature is acceptable. Samples are stable up to one week when stored refrigerated (2-8°C).
Sodium, Urine, 24h	SODIUM, URINE, 24 HOUR [LAB446]	Instruct the patient to void at 8 AM and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (ie, 8 AM the next morning). Screw the lid on securely. Container must be labeled with patient's full name, date and time collection started, and date and time collection finished. Twenty-four hour urine collection for sodium, potassium and chloride should be made without addition of preservatives.	Sodium is stable in urine for 45 days when stored at room temperature (20-25°C) or refrigerated (2-8°C).
Sodium, Urine, Random	SODIUM, URINE, RANDOM [LAB444]	Collect urine in a sterile urine collection container.	Sodium is stable in urine for 45 days when stored at room temperature (20-25°C) or refrigerated (2-8°C).
Specific Gravity BF	SPECIFIC GRAVITY, BODY FLUID [LAB199]	Collect body fluids in a sterile container.	Specimen is stable up to 2 hours at room temperature (20-25°C). If sample transport will be prolonged, refrigerate specimen at 2-8°C.
Spinal Fluid Culture	CSF CULTURE [LAB268]	Collect CSF in sterile containers. Tubes should be labeled appropriately indicating the order of collection.	Transport CSF specimens to the laboratory immediately. Do not refrigerate CSF specimens unless viral studies alone are requested.
Sputum Gram Stain		Collect sputum sample in a sterile container, first morning sputum is preferred.	Transport sputum in a sterile container to lab within 2 hours. If processing is delayed, refrigerate at 2-8°C (a delay of processing of > 2 hours may result in loss of recovery of fastidious pathogens and overgrowth of gram negative bacilli).
Stool Reflex Culture		Reflex stool cultures are performed to recover the specific targets of Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, and Plesiomonas shigelloides that are flagged as detected by the BioFire gastrointestinal (GI) panel in order to perform susceptibility testing and, in some instances, send isolate to the state laboratory for further study.	Specimen is stable for up to 4 days at both room temperature (15-25°C) and refrigerated (2-8°C) if placed in Cary Blair transport media according to manufacturer's instructions.
Streptococcus pneumoniae Antigen	STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE ANTIGEN [LAB2516]	Urine specimens should be collected in a standard urine sterile container. CSF specimens should be collected according to standard procedures.	For urine specimens, store at room temperature (15-30°C) if assayed within 24 hours of collection. Alternatively, store urine refrigerated at 2-8 ̊C, or frozen at -20°C or lower for up to 14 days, before testing. When necessary, ship urine specimens in leakproof containers at 2-8 ̊C or frozen. For CSF specimens, store at room temperature (15-30°C) for up to 24 hours before testing. Alternatively, properly collected CSF may be refrigerated (2-8°C) or frozen (-20°C) for up to 7 days before testing.
Synovial Fluid Crystals	SYNOVIAL FLUID, CRYSTAL (IN HOUSE) [LAB213]	Collect fluid specimen and place in a sterile container. Do not add fixative.	Send the specimen to the laboratory with a completed Cytology Requisition Form and/or order for crystal analysis in EPIC and sign in the logbook. Once the lab has done what they need to on the sample they will bring it to the histology lab and sign in the logbook.
T3		Serum and plasma (heparin) are the recommended samples. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Thaw samples only once.
T4		Serum is the recommended sample type. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 24 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Thaw samples only once.
TEG Citrate	TEG CITRATE [LAB2572]	Fully collect a Blue Top (sodium citrate) tube. Underfilled tubes will not be accepted. Mix sample immediately by gentle inversion at least six times.	Must be walked to lab. Do not use pneumatic tube system. After collection, keep specimen at room temperature until testing is performed. TEG samples must be analyzed within 2 hours, but no sooner than 15 minutes after collection.
TEG Platelet Mapping	TEG PLATELET MAPPING [LAB2575]	Fully collect a dark green top tube. Mix sample immediately by gentle inversion at least six times.	Must be walked to lab. Do not use pneumatic tube system. After collection, keep specimen at room temperature until testing is performed. TEG samples must be analyzed within 2 hours, but no sooner than 15 minutes after collection.
Testosterone		Serum is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Samples may be thawed and frozen up to two times.
Theophylline	THEOPHYLLINE LEVEL [LAB35]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	If analysis is to be completed immediately after collection, room temperature is acceptable. Otherwise, samples are stable for up to one month when stored and transported refrigerated (2-8°C) or up to 3 months frozen (-20°C or below).
Throat Strep A Culture	STREP A CULTURE, THROAT [LAB236]	After collection, place swab back into transport media.	Specimens must be transported to the laboratory at room temperature (20-25°C) within two hours of collection.
Tissue Transglutaminase, Antibodies	TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE ANTIBODIES [LAB11025]
Tissue Transglutaminase, IgA
Tissue Transglutaminase, IgG
Tobramycin, Peak	TOBRAMYCIN LEVEL, PEAK [LAB36]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. For patients on a regimen of divided daily tobramycin doses, collect a peak sample 30-60 minutes after intravenous infusion or 60-90 minutes after intramuscular injection.	Blood specimens should be separated and tested immediately after collection, or the separated specimens should be frozen.
Tobramycin, Random	TOBRAMYCIN LEVEL, RANDOM [LAB37]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	Blood specimens should be separated and tested immediately after collection, or the separated specimens should be frozen.
Tobramycin, Trough	TOBRAMYCIN LEVEL, TROUGH [LAB38]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. For patients on a regimen of divided daily tobramycin doses, collect a trough sample just before the next scheduled dose. For patients on a single daily dosage regimen, either collect a trough sample 3-5 hours before the next scheduled dose or, if using a published nomogram to determine the proper dosing interval, collect a sample 7-14 hours after dosing.	Blood specimens should be separated and tested immediately after collection, or the separated specimens should be frozen.
Total Iron Binding Capacity	TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY [LAB11003]	Recommended specimen types: serum and plasma (lithium heparin). Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. Complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection. Specimens should be free of particulate matter.	Samples should be stored at 4 °C for up to 7 days and may be frozen at -20 °C for up to 6 months.
Total Protein (CPE)		Plasma collected in a lithium heparin tube is the recommended sample type.	Total protein is stable in plasma for up to 6 days at room temperature (20-25°C) and for 4 weeks refrigerated (4-8°C).
Transferrin	TRANSFERRIN [LAB133]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection	Serum and plasma samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 to 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below −20 °C for up to three months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples, which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15 000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter.
Transferrin Saturation	TRANSFERRIN SATURATION [LAB13149]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection	Samples should be as fresh as possible (stored for no more than seven days at 2 to 8 °C) or stored frozen. Samples can be stored at below −20 °C for up to three months, if they are frozen within 24 hours after collection and if repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided. Lipemic or frozen samples, which become turbid after thawing, must be clarified by centrifugation (10 minutes at approximately 15 000 x g) prior to testing. Specimens should be free of particulate matter. Lipemic samples should be avoided.
Treponema Pallidum, Antibodies		Serum is the recommended sample type. Only blood drawn by an acceptable technique into a collection tube with no anticoagulants should be used. The specimen should be allowed to clot fully and the serum separated by centrifugation.	If analysis is to be completed immediately after sample collection, room temperature is acceptable. Otherwise, samples are stable for up to 7 days refrigerated at 2-8°C or if necessary, samples may be frozen at -20°C or below.
Triglycerides	TRIGLYCERIDES [LAB134]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Fasting samples are recommended.	If analysis is to be completed immediately after sample collection, room temperature is acceptable. Otherwise, samples are stable for up to 7 days when refrigerated (2-8°C) and up to 3 months when frozen (-20°C or below).
Triglycerides, Fluid	TRIGLYCERIDES, BODY FLUIDS [LAB200]	Collect specimen in a sterile container. If visibly blood, the specimen should be poured into a lithium heparinized tube to prevent clot formation. All samples should be centrifuged before processing.	Specimens for processing should be sent to lab as soon as possible. If transported, specimen should be refrigerated at 2-8°C for up to 7 days.
Troponin I	SERIAL TROPONIN I (HIGH SENSITIVE) [LAB16200]	Lithium heparin plasma samples are the recommended specimen types. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Physically separate plasma from contact with cells as soon as possible.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 25°C) for up to 4 hours. If the assay will not be completed within 4 hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, freeze at-20°C or colder. Frozen specimens can be stored up to 180 days before testing. Thaw samples only once. Frozen samples should be thawed at room temperature, mixed thoroughly by gentle inversion, and centrifuged per tube manufacturer's recommendations prior to analysis.
Troponin I (1-Hour)		Lithium heparin plasma samples are the recommended specimen types. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Physically separate plasma from contact with cells as soon as possible.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 25°C) for up to 4 hours. If the assay will not be completed within 4 hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, freeze at-20°C or colder. Frozen specimens can be stored up to 180 days before testing. Thaw samples only once. Frozen samples should be thawed at room temperature, mixed thoroughly by gentle inversion, and centrifuged per tube manufacturer's recommendations prior to analysis.
Troponin I (4-Hour)		Lithium heparin plasma samples are the recommended specimen types. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Physically separate plasma from contact with cells as soon as possible.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 25°C) for up to 4 hours. If the assay will not be completed within 4 hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, freeze at-20°C or colder. Frozen specimens can be stored up to 180 days before testing. Thaw samples only once. Frozen samples should be thawed at room temperature, mixed thoroughly by gentle inversion, and centrifuged per tube manufacturer's recommendations prior to analysis.
Troponin I, High Sensitive	TROPONIN (HIGH SENSITIVE) [LAB747]	Lithium heparin plasma samples are the recommended specimen types. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Physically separate plasma from contact with cells as soon as possible.	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 25°C) for up to 4 hours. If the assay will not be completed within 4 hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, freeze at-20°C or colder. Frozen specimens can be stored up to 180 days before testing. Thaw samples only once. Frozen samples should be thawed at room temperature, mixed thoroughly by gentle inversion, and centrifuged per tube manufacturer's recommendations prior to analysis.
TSH	TSH [LAB129]	Serum is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation	Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for up to 18 hours. If the assay will not be completed within 18 hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within seven days, freeze at-20°C or colder. Frozen specimens can be stored up to 90 days before testing. Donot thaw samples more than two times.
Upper Respiratory Panel	UPPER RESPIRATORY PANEL [LAB1900]	Nasopharyngeal specimens must be collected according to standard technique and immediately placed in 1-3mL of viral transport media.	Specimens in VTM must be processed and tested as soon as possible. If storage is required, specimens in VTM can be held at room temperature (18–30 ºC) for up to 4 hours, at refrigerator temperature (2-8 °C) for up to 3 days, or at freezer temperature (<-15 °C) for up to 30 days.
Urea Nitrogen, Fluid	UREA NITROGEN, BODY FLUID [LAB2330]	Collect specimen in a sterile container. If visibly blood, the specimen should be poured into a lithium heparinized tube to prevent clot formation. All samples should be centrifuged before processing.	Send body fluid specimens to lab as soon as possible. For prolonged transport, refrigerate.
Urea Nitrogen, Urine, 24H	UREA NITROGEN, URINE, 24 HOUR [LAB11004]	Instruct the patient to void at 8 AM and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (ie, 8 AM the next morning). Screw the lid on securely. Container must be labeled with patient's full name, date and time collection started, and date and time collection finished.	Refrigerate the specimen at 2-8°C as it is collected. Urine specimens should be maintained at 2-8°C until analysis.
Urea Nitrogen, Urine, Random	UREA NITROGEN, URINE [LAB748]	Collect urine specimen in a sterile urine collection container.	Unless immediate analysis is expected after collection, urine specimens should be maintained at 2-8°C until analysis.
Uric Acid	URIC ACID [LAB141]	Recommended specimen types: serum, plasma (lithium heparin). Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. Complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.	Uric Acid in serum is stable for 3 - 5 days at 2 - 8°C, and 6 months frozen ≤ -20°C.
Uric Acid, Urine, 24h	URIC ACID, URINE, 24 HOUR [LAB841]	Collections of 24-hour urine specimens should be made in containers with NaOH [10 mL of 5% (w/v) NaOH] to prevent urate precipitation. Instruct the patient to void at 8 AM and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (ie, 8 AM the next morning). Screw the lid on securely. Container must be labeled with patient's full name, date and time collection started, and date and time collection finished.	Uric acid in urine is usually stable for approximately 4 days at room temperature (20-25°C), provided that there is no bacterial growth to destroy it.
Uric Acid, Urine, Random	URIC ACID, URINE [LAB2327]	Collect urine in a sterile urine collection container.	Uric acid in urine is usually stable for approximately 4 days at room temperature (20-25°C), provided that there is no bacterial growth to destroy it.
Urinalysis w/ Microscopic		Mid-stream clean catch preferred to minimize contaminants	Can maintain specimen at room temperature up to 1 hour. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. Do not freeze
Urinalysis with Reflex to Culture		Prior to collecting a urine sample, REMEMBER: - NEVER collect from bedpan or urinal - Use sterile collection container - Do NOT touch the inside of the lid or container - Use recommended soaps rather than disinfectants as disinfectants may inhibit growth of microorganisms - Transport to lab within 2 hours of collection; if impossible refrigerate up to 24 hours - Use aseptic technique for catheter collection (needle and syringe to collect urine through port after cleaning with alcohol)	Can maintain specimen at room temperature up to 1 hour. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. Do not freeze
Urinalysis, Chem Only	URINALYSIS CHEM ONLY [LAB347]	Mid-stream clean catch preferred to minimize contaminants	Can maintain specimen at room temperature up to 1 hour. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. Do not freeze.
Urine Culture	URINE CULTURE [LAB239]	Patient collects a Clean catch Mid-Stream specimen in a sterile container	Refrigerate if specimen cannot be tested immediately. Specimen good for 24 hrs of collection if refrigerated
Vaginitis Panel		Collect a vaginal swab in Cepheid Transport Reagent. Refer to the Xpert Swab Specimen Collection kit instructions for use for additional collection instructions.	Samples should be transported refrigerated at 2-8°C. Samples placed in transport medium can be stored for up to 42 days prior to testing. Refer to the Xpert Swab Specimen Collection kit instructions for use for additional transport instructions.
Valproic Acid	VALPROIC ACID LEVEL, TOTAL [LAB24]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	If analysis is to be completed immediately after sample collection, room temperature is acceptable. Otherwise, store and transport specimens refrigerated at 2-8°C. If necessary, samples may be frozen at -20°C for up to 1 year.
Vancomycin Peak	VANCOMYCIN, PEAK [LAB41]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. To obtain a vancomycin concentration that best represents the peak tissue level, draw the sample 30 minutes to 2 hours after an infusion.	To avoid in vitro degradation, store serum or plasma frozen at -20°C or at -70°C if not analyzed immediately.
Vancomycin, Random	VANCOMYCIN, RANDOM [LAB40]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation.	To avoid in vitro degradation, store serum or plasma frozen at -20°C or at -70°C if not analyzed immediately.
Vancomycin, Trough	VANCOMYCIN, TROUGH [LAB39]	Recommended specimen types: serum, lithium heparinized plasma. Serum and plasma can be collected using recommended procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. For serum, complete clot formation should take place before centrifugation. To obtain a vancomycin concentration that best represents the trough tissue level, draw the sample 30 minutes prior to the next infusion.	To avoid in vitro degradation, store serum or plasma frozen at -20°C or at -70°C if not analyzed immediately.
Varicella-Zoster, IgG		Serum samples collected in Gold top gel barrier tube or Red top tubes.	After serum or plasma is removed from the clot, samples are stable up to 3 days at room temperature (15-30°C) and up to 7 days refrigerated (2-8°C). Otherwise, samples are stable up to 1 months frozen (-20°C or below).
Vitamin B12		Serum is the recommended samples. Collect all blood samples observing routine precautions for venipuncture.	Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation. Keep tubes stoppered at all times. Physically separate serum or plasma from contact with cells as soon as possible. Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than eight hours. If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C. If the assay will not be completed within 24 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at-20°C or colder. Thaw samples only once.
Vitamin D 1,25-Dihydroxy		Serum collected in either a Gold top gel barrier tube or in a Red top tube.	Stable at room temp for up to 7 days, refrigerated for 14 days.
Vitamin D, 25-hydroxy		Serum is the recommended sample. Collect all blood samples observing standard precautions for venipuncture. Allow serum samples to clot completely before centrifugation.	Do not dilute patient samples as this could lead to incorrect vitamin D results. Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30°C) for no longer than 8 hours. If the assay will not be completed within 8 hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 10°C. If the assay will not be completed within 7 days, freeze at-20°C or colder. Frozen specimens can be stored up to one (1) year at-20°C before testing. Thaw samples no more than 3 times.
Wet Prep	WET PREP [LAB252]	Collect swab or skin scrapings and place in tube with small amount of saline. Tube may be obtained from lab.	Send to lab. Specimen should be reported within 30 minutes of collection.