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Specimen Collection & Handling

Our Specimen Collection & Handling Guide
Supplies Types of Specimen Collection Containers General Specimen Preparation General Sample Storage Instructions on Collection of Blood Cultures Collection and Transportation of Microbiology Specimens Tips Regarding Sample Collection Conditions for Medical Centre In-Clinic Phlebotomy Services for Tests with Special Sample Collection Requirement

General Specimen Preparation

Collect and deliver specimens for testing into the correct collection containers.

Follow any specific instruction as indicated in the sample types of various profile screening listing and test listing.

Clinic name and/or doctor’s name must be clearly indicated on the lab request form.

All specimens submitted to the laboratory must be properly identified by indicating 2 unique patient identifiers on every specimen tube, slide or specimen container submitted to avoid rejection. The acceptable identifiers are patient’s name and one of the following:

  • NRIC/Passport Number
  • Date of Birth or

Please PRINT patient’s particulars and tests to be ordered clearly on the laboratory request form to facilitate the ordering and testing processes by the laboratory.

All specimens should be properly sealed (e.g. capped firmly or screwed tightly) before transportation to the laboratory. Do not submit specimens in syringes, regardless of whether the needles are attached or not. The laboratory reserves the right to reject inappropriate/ inadequate specimens.

Place the request form and specimen containers, from a single patient, in an individual specimen. Do not combine different patients’ samples in the same bag.

Note(1):

For Anti-HIV1/HIV2 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) test, please indicate patient’s Nationality,NRIC Number (for resident) or Passport Number (for non-resident) on the request form.

Please note that a minimum of 5mL plain/SST blood (individual tube) is required for HIV testing.

If the patient is a foreign national, must indicate whether the patient
(a) is a Singapore permanent resident; OR
(b) holds a work permit, long term social visit pass or a student pass; OR
(c) is applying for a work permit, long term social visit pass, student pass or permanent residency

Equivocal/Reactive results must be confirmed by the National HIV Reference Laboratory (subject to additional charges) as stipulated by MOH regulations.

You are required to obtain consent from the patient before sending the specimen to the laboratory.

For the purpose of verification, patients are required to provide photo identification before blood draw.

Note(2):

For Malaria Parasites (MP) test, please indicate patient’s Nationality on the request form as stipulated by Ministry of Health  (MOH).

Note(3):

For Dengue NS1 Antigen, or Dengue Blot (IgG & IgM Antibody) test, please indicate patient’s address on the request form as stipulated by MOH.

Collect and deliver specimens for testing into the correct collection containers.

Follow any specific instruction as indicated in the sample types of various profile screening listing and test listing.

Clinic name and/or doctor’s name must be clearly indicated on the lab request form.

All specimens submitted to the laboratory must be properly identified by indicating 2 unique patient identifiers on every specimen tube, slide or specimen container submitted to avoid rejection. The acceptable identifiers are patient’s name and one of the following:

  • NRIC/Passport Number
  • Date of Birth or

Please PRINT patient’s particulars and tests to be ordered clearly on the laboratory request form to facilitate the ordering and testing processes by the laboratory.

All specimens should be properly sealed (e.g. capped firmly or screwed tightly) before transportation to the laboratory. Do not submit specimens in syringes, regardless of whether the needles are attached or not. The laboratory reserves the right to reject inappropriate/ inadequate specimens.

Place the request form and specimen containers, from a single patient, in an individual specimen. Do not combine different patients’ samples in the same bag.

Note(1):

For Anti-HIV1/HIV2 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) test, please indicate patient’s Nationality,NRIC Number (for resident) or Passport Number (for non-resident) on the request form.

Please note that a minimum of 5mL plain/SST blood (individual tube) is required for HIV testing.

If the patient is a foreign national, must indicate whether the patient
(a) is a Singapore permanent resident; OR
(b) holds a work permit, long term social visit pass or a student pass; OR
(c) is applying for a work permit, long term social visit pass, student pass or permanent residency

Equivocal/Reactive results must be confirmed by the National HIV Reference Laboratory (subject to additional charges) as stipulated by MOH regulations.

You are required to obtain consent from the patient before sending the specimen to the laboratory.

For the purpose of verification, patients are required to provide photo identification before blood draw.

Note(2):

For Malaria Parasites (MP) test, please indicate patient’s Nationality on the request form as stipulated by Ministry of Health  (MOH).

Note(3):

For Dengue NS1 Antigen, or Dengue Blot (IgG & IgM Antibody) test, please indicate patient’s address on the request form as stipulated by MOH.