Specimen Collection
US BioTek Laboratories - Specimen Collection
Collection Procedures
Detailed instruction sheets (PDF):
Serum Kit Contents:
2 10-ml Red Top Vacutainer.
1 10-ml Serum Transfer Tube.
1 Disposable Transfer Pipette.
1 Ziploc bag and an Absorbent Pad.
1 Polyfoam Packer for Shipping Specimens.
1 Mailing Box (Ship via US Postal Service).
1 Test Requisition Form.
1 Collection Instruction Sheet.
* Out of state specimen kit contains: 1 Prepaid FedEx Billable Stamp
(2nd Day Delivery), 1 FedEx Clinical Pak.
Serum Collection Procedure:
- Draw all blood collection tubes to their maximum capacity.
- Allow blood to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes, then centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 15 minutes. Transfer the serum immediately to the serum vial provided. Do not transfer red blood cells to the vial. Ensure that the cap on the vial is tightly sealed to prevent leakage, wrap with absorbent pad, and place in the ziploc bag. Seal contents into Styrofoam packer and place in the mailing box.
- For blood tests, serum collected from a Red Top tube is preferred. However, plasma is acceptable if the anticoagulant is EDTA or heparin. Plasma collected from tubes containing citrate or oxalate is not acceptable.
Click here for a detailed instruction sheet for Washington State.
Click here for a detailed instruction sheet for other then Washington State.
Whole Blood (Blood Spot Collection Card) Kit Contents:
2 Alcohol Swabs.
2 Lancets.
* Blood Spot Collection Card.
2 Bandages.
1 Non-Latex Glove.
1 Prepaid Return Envelope.
1 Test Requisition Form.
* Quantity may very depending on panel(s) ordered.
- Each blood spot collection card is a one time use only. Do not recollect blood on a previously blood-dried spot.
- The lancet provided is a one time use only. Not to be used for children less than 1 year old.
- Blood samples should not be collected from swollen or previously punctured sites, earlobe or fifth finger.
- If you have difficulty soaking the blood spot collection card, wipe puncture site with alcohol pad. This may help loosen any dried blood.
- Milking or excessive squeezing of the puncture site may cause excess tissue fluid accumulation and perturb blood flow.
Whole Blood Collection Procedure (Blood Spot Collection Card):
- Wash hands thoroughly in warm soapy water for 1 minute and dry.
- Open the blood collection card so that the cover is away from the specimen collection paper. Do not touch sample area. Set on clean flat surface.
- Wipe outer edge of ring OR middle finger with alcohol pad. Allow briefly to air-dry.
- Twist off blue tab to break seal on lancet.
- Position lancet against outer edge of ring OR middle finger. Press down firmly until an audible click is heard.
- Press gently from below puncture site.
- Apply a hanging drop of blood within the first circle. Add another hanging drop next to the first drop. Try not to overlap drops. Continue adding hanging drops until circle is filled. Do not rub or smear. Fill all remaining circles. Ensure that the blood spots are soaked through to the backside of the card.
Holding card on the outer edge, slightly bend collection card away from cover to allow air to flow beneath the collection paper.
- Place card on flat surface to air-dry completely for at least 3 hours. Keep specimen away from moisture and sunlight. Do not use heat to assist drying.
Tuck cover into flap as indicated.
- Place completed test requisition form and collection card inside business return envelope.
- Place sealed envelope in mail box. No postage required if mailed within USA.
Click here for a detailed instruction sheet.
Diet:
It is advised for the patient to adhere to their usual dietary habits consuming a variety of foods when possible. Avoid any food that may have potentially resulted in a previous adverse reaction or anaphylaxis. Secondary exposure may prove fatal. For Celiac Panel, individuals on a gluten-free diet prior to testing may show low or falsely negative serological values.
Medications:
Immunosuppressive drugs such as oral or intranasal corticosteroids (prednisone, beclomethasone, fluticasone, triamcinolone), and topical cortisone suspensions and creams, may affect test results for antibody assessment. The suggested time period to abstain from these is 4 weeks.
Infant Testing:
At birth, the immune system is not fully developed. Most of the antibodies in infants are acquired from the mother, transferred via the placenta before birth. A physiologic hypogammaglobulinemia is present by age 2 to 6 months, which usually resolves after 6 months as the infant starts to produce its own antibodies. Normal levels may not be reached to about 12 to 36 months. This is more common among premature infants who may be profoundly hypogammaglobulinemic.
Antibodies transferred through the breast milk during feeding may reflect the mother's diet and dietary sensitivities.
Urine Kit Contents:
1 Urine Collection Strip in Bag A.
1 Desiccant in Ziploc Bag B.
1 Test Requisition Form.
1 Prepaid Mailing Envelope
1 Collection Instruction Sheet.
Urine Collection Procedure
(Dip ’N Dry Strip):
- Do not use an expired test kit.
- Avoid collection during menstruation or urinary tract infection.
- Supplements, medications and select foods may alter results. Refer to Test Overview 20 for Special Collection Instructions.
- Avoid excess fluid intake after your evening meal.
- Collect first morning urine into any clean cup (Void first portion of urine, then from mid-stream on, fill cup with urine).
- Place absorbent pad portion of Collection Strip into the cup which contains the first morning urine, and leave it inside the cup for one minute to ensure complete saturation. To avoid contamination, do not touch absorbent pad. Discard Bag A.
- Take the absorbent pad out of the cup, briefly allow the Collection Strip to drip freely.
- Seal the Collection Strip in the Ziploc Bag B containing Desiccant. Be sure the bag is completely sealed.
- Place in Mailing Envelope. Include Test Requisition Form inside Mailing Envelope.
- Gently shake the sealed envelope briefly.
- Keep sample away from heat.
Click here for a detailed instruction sheet.
Urine Kit Contents (24-hour Aliquot, 50 ml collection tube):
1 Urine Collection Jug with
Ascorbic Acid Preservative
1 50 ml Urine Collection Tube
with Cap
1 1 Ziploc Bag
1 1 Pair of Gloves
1 Absorbent Pad
1 Test Requisition Form
1 Kit/Shipping Box
Urine Collection Procedure
(24-hour Aliquot):
- Carefully expand the Urine Collection Jug to its full
size. Do not discard the ascorbic acid preservative
(white powder) in the Urine Collection Jug.
- To collect a 24-hour urine specimen, do not collect
your 1st morning urine upon waking up. Collect all
subsequent urinations for the 24-hour period including
your 1st morning urine of the next day. The
urine after waking up on the 2nd morning is the final
urine you will collect.
- Collect urine into any clean cup (Styrofoam, glass or
plastic) and pour into the Urine Collection Jug
throughout the 24-hour period. Do not rinse or
clean cup between each use.
- Recap the Urine Collection Jug between collections.
Store urine at room temperature (21°C - 25°C).
- If any specimen during the 24-hour period is missed,
discard all urine and recollect utilizing a new collection
jug.
- After completing the 24-hour urine collection, using
the scale on the Urine Collection Jug, record the
total urine volume onto Test Requisition Form. Lab cannot process sample without this information.
- Shake Urine Collection Jug to mix urine well and
pour about 45 ml urine into the 50 ml Urine Collection
Tube. Cap tightly. Label clearly. Discard
remaining urine and Urine Collection Jug.
- Wrap Absorbent Pad around the 50 ml Urine Collection
Tube and place in Ziploc Bag. Seal tightly.
- Place sealed Ziploc Bag in the Kit/Shipping Box
with completed Test Requisition Form. Secure the
Kit/Shipping Box top flap with tape.
Click here for a detailed instruction sheet for lower 48 States.
Click here for a detailed instruction sheet for Alaska, Hawaii & Canada.
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