MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS LABORATORY

GENERAL COLLECTION POLICY

(See individual specimen types for specific sample requirements)

1. Requisition Requirements:

All samples submitted to the lab must be submitted by authorized personnel and accompanied by a completed UAMS Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory request Form and must include:

Patient name and address

Accession number

Date of birth

Sex of patient

Name and Department of submitting physician and lab

Clinical information (primary diagnosis, transplant information, etc.)

Source of specimen

Date and time specimen collected

Type of tests requested

2. Specimen should be collected under sterile conditions

3. Specimens requiring an anticoagulant must be submitted in the PROPER TUBE (Sodium Heparin for FISH or EDTA for all others). If a Vacutainer is used, gently invert the tube five to ten times; do not shake. Lithium heparin is contraindicated.

4. Deliver specimens the day of collection at room temperature accompanied by a completed UAMS Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory Request Form. Specimens collected within UAMS should be delivered to the Clinical Laboratory; specimens collected outside the institution should be delivered directly to the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory.

5. Specimens should be transported at room temperature. Do Not Freeze or send samples on ice.

EXCEPTIONS:

Samples examining gene expression (i.e. RNA based analysis), if not received the same day as collection, should be refrigerated to slow potential RNA degradation.

Solid tissue specimens, if not received the same day as collection, should be refrigerated to inhibit potential bacterial growth.

6. Specimens collected after hours should be kept refrigerated but not frozen and sent to the UAMS Clinical Laboratory.