Instructions
Order of Draw
Sample Collection and Handling Instructions
1. Contact the laboratory for specific instructions.
2. Ensure the sample reaches the laboratory on the same day it is taken.
3. Avoid sending samples between Friday noon and Monday morning.
4. Contact the laboratory before collecting and sending a sample.
5. Please provide a single sample for each individual undergoing testing.
6. Protect the sample from light exposure.
7. Label the sample by hand with the first name, family name, gender, and date of birth on both the sample and the form; refrain from using labels other than the tube label.
8. Samples must reach the laboratory on the same day as collection, or contact the laboratory.
9. Include the time and date of sample collection.
10. For EDTA samples, do not separate; send the whole blood.
11. All samples sent must have inferred to consent from patient before sample collection procedure (venipuncture).
Potential reasons for sample rejection
Sample rejection criteria are listed below, this list is not exhaustive:
o Incorrect container or anti-coagulant for testing purposes.
o Not enough blood in the sample container.
o Container is cracked / damaged.
o Sample is not registered on LIMS.
o Incorrect patient information.
o Sample instability due to e.g. delay in transport.
o Sample haemolysed on arrival.
Patient Request
Enter patient information on the KDL portal, print the order sheet, place it in the outer pocket of a ziplock bag with absorbent material, and position the sample in the larger pocket.
When tests are chosen on the KDL portal, the required sample tube types are displayed. Ensure the correct volume of the sample is collected in the container to adequately preserve the analyte; failure to do so may result in sample rejection.
To comply with good clinical practice, it is crucial to have one request form for each patient's request, ensuring specimens and forms are correctly matched, fully labelled, and include unique patient identifiers and other relevant information.
First name, surname, date of birth, and hospital/clinic number are examples of patient identifiers.
Time and date of sample collection.
Type of sample and anatomical site, where appropriate (e.g. swabs).
Packaging Requirements
Specific labelling and triple packaging are required for Category B samples to meet packaging instruction P650:
Primary receptacle: tube or vial containing the sample placed in the secondary packaging.
Secondary packaging: e.g., a protective packaging case or ziplock bag with absorbent material.
The outer packaging: intended to protect the entire contents.
Additional postal envelopes may be used for postal return. The external surface must be labelled with UN3373 and clearly state BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE CATEGORY B.
Sample Packing
Samples must reach the laboratory on the same day of sample collection or contact the laboratory.
The clinic should contact the laboratory to arrange sample collection. The laboratory will send a tracking link to the clinic once the courier is booked and on the way for collection.
Samples need to be packed and transported appropriately for subsequent processing and testing, considering various transport systems covering both long and short distances.
Attention should be given to special transport containers and time limitations. Different tests have distinct sample requirements, which should be referenced before sample collection.
Clinics, practices, and laboratories transporting samples by road between local, regional, and reference laboratories, or between laboratories in other countries, must adhere to regulations provided by national transport authorities, international air transport regulations, rail and road traffic agencies, and postal services. Compliance is mandatory to reduce risks to couriers, carriers, and laboratory staff.
Requesting and Reporting Options
We continuously review and update our IT Services for receiving requests and reporting results electronically between clinics and the laboratory.
KDL Portal: Registered users can securely view their results online anytime, from anywhere. This system, protected by login/password, includes a cumulative results reporting function.
Email: Copy reports will be automatically emailed to addresses on the system.