Aaron booc And John Peary Joromat

1. Specimen Storage

2. Specimen storage
 To increase the sensitivity of diagnostic testing all specimens
should be stored frozen (optimally at -70°C) and shipped on
dry ice with the exception of fixed tissues and specimens
collected in a glass tube (whole blood, whole blood EDTA,
whole blood Heparin, serum separating tubes, CPT tubes,
etc).
 If freezing is not possible, specimens that will be evaluated
within 1 to 2 days after collection may be stored refrigerated
at 4°C and shipped on refrigerant gel packs.
 Fixed tissues should be stored and shipped in a separate box
at room temperature.
 Specimens collected in a glass tube should be refrigerated at
4°C and shipped on refrigerant gel packs.

3. How To Store Specimens :
If a sample is not despatched to the laboratory on the day of
collection, please store as follows :
Store these specimens in the fridge
 All urines for microbiology and cytology
 Feces specimens for microbiology
 Viral swabs
 Sputum for microbiology and cytology
Store these specimens at room temperature
 Swabs in transport media
 Aspirates
 Chlamydia swabs
 Chlamydia urines
Blood specimens
 Blood specimens should not be stored overnight.

4. Specimen Storage Guidelines
 Critical Frozen Specimens
~ Repeat thaw and refreezing of samples
is unacceptable.
 Light
~ Keep all specimens away from bright light.
Some tests require specimens be wrapped in
aluminum foil / kept in paper bag.
 Temperature Requirements
 Whole Blood
 Stool Collection

5. Temperature Requirements
 General Recommendation
Room Temperature: 18 - 26°C (64 -
79°F)
 Refrigerate: 2-8°C (36-46°F)
 Freeze: -15°C or colder (5°F or
colder)
 Dry Ice: -70°C (-94°F)

6. Whole Blood
 Whole blood specimens should be
collected in the designated
anticoagulant tube.
 Gently invert the tube eight times
immediately after collection to evenly
distribute the additive.
 Deliver to the laboratory as soon as
possible after the collection and follow
temperature and storage guidelines
indicated for the specific test.

7. Timed Stool Collections
 Clean dry container with a tight lid.
 Submit an aliquot of the sample.
 Minimum acceptable sample is 20
grams
 Volume samples should be
preweighed and aliquoted at your
location if possible
 Send the entire collection if this
process cannot be performed.