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The quality of test results depend greatly on
pre-analytical variables, namely correct patient
preparation, specimen collection, packaging
and transportation.
What tests are available at the NKTI Laboratory?
- Refer to our test menu for a listing of the available tests and
specific handling guidelines and requirements.
What information do I need to provide?
- * Full Name of patient
- * Age and Sex of patient
- * Date of Birth
- * Name and clinic/hospital of requesting
physician
- * Brief medical history of patient/ clinical
Diagnosis
What are the health and safety precautions I need to observe?
- The universal precautions on handling blood and
body fluids should be observed at all times.
How is blood collected properly?
- The use of plastic serum separator collection
tubes are recommended, except for HgbA1C and
for therapeutic drug monitoring.
When using serum separator collection tubes,
follow these instructions:
- a) Perform venipuncture as with any other blood
collection vehicle.
- b) Invert tube gently (5 times for SST with gel
separator and 8-12 times for EDTA tube)
- c) Label tube with the patient's complete name,
date and time of specimen collection, always in
the presence of the patient after any blood goes
into the tube
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When using tubes with no additives (Red Top),
follow these instructions:
- a) For plastic tubes, invert 5 times. For glass tubes,
do not invert. Do not remove the stopper at any
time. Allow the blood to clot at least 30 minutes
but not longer than 1 hour. Do not centrifuge
immediately after drawing blood.
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b) Centrifuge at 2200-2500 RPM for at least
15 minutes.
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c) Pipette the clear serum to a plastic (ideally)
vial/tube for transport to the laboratory. Do not
transfer red cells to the vial.
As a rule of thumb, the volume drawn should be
equal to 2-2 ½ times the amount of serum or plasma
required for the test. For example, to obtain 4 ml
serum, draw at least 10 ml blood.
What will happen when my specimen is rejected?
- When inappropriate specimens are submitted, they
will be stored at the laboratory. The referring client
shall be notified as soon as possible and will be
requested to recollect the specimen.
What is the proper storage and transportation of specimens?
- Store specimens upright in a refrigerator, unless
otherwise specified in the specific requirements
insert.
All specimens should be properly sealed prior to
being transported. Leaking containers are health
hazards.
Safety regulations specify that only specimens in
proper containers will be permitted to be transported
to the testing laboratory. Specimens in syringes,
with or without needles are not acceptable at The
NKTI Medical Laboratory.
Specimens should be transported at 2-8ºC.
What are the receiving times for routine
requests?
- Our laboratory hours are from 6:00 AM 7:00 PM
Mondays thru Saturdays. Routine requests will be
accepted from 10:00 am 4:00 PM Mondays thru
Saturdays.
How are results released?
- Results will be released 7:00 PM onwards
electronically. Hard copy of results will be released
the following day.
Laboratory reports are released ONLY to the
referring client. All patient-related information will
remain confidential. It is the responsibility of the
referring client to release the information to their
patients.
Laboratory reports are released ONLY to the
referring client. All patient-related information will
remain confidential. It is the responsibility of the
referring client to release the information to their
patients.
Note: Should the automated analyzer be out-of-order,
clients will be properly informed of the delay.
How will I be billed?
- The referring client will be billed according to the
stipulations in the memorandum of agreement.
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