Specimen Preparation

All laboratory quality begins at the point of specimen collection and relies on timely procurement and adequate sample volumes. Specific sample requirements for our tests are listed below. For your convenience, a downloadable PDF is available as well.

Ship specimens to:

Requisition

Thorough completion of the siParadigm requisition ensures that calls to your office for information are minimized and patient protected health information (PHI) is only required to be transmitted once.

The requisition must contain the following:

• Patient Name
• Patient Gender
• Patient Date of Birth (DOB) and/or age
• Patient Address
• Ordering Physician
• Type of specimen(s)
• Date and time Specimen(s) were collected
• Test(s) Requested
• Pertinent patient insurance information (copy of insurance card may be attached)
• Pertinent patient clinical history, indications for study, and/or CBC results (patient face sheet may be attached)
• ICD-10 Code(s)

Specimen Labelling

All specimens must be clearly identified using two (2) unique patient identifiers and have an accompanying test requisition (paper or electronic).

• Patient Name (last name, first name or initial)
• Date of Birth (DOB) (month/date/year)
• Barcode Label - may be used if the barcode matches the unique identifiers on the accompanying requisition.

Specimen Rejection Criteria

Samples should be placed in a double leak proof sealed “biohazard” bag as provided by siParadigm and MUST BE used in addition to placement of the specimen in the siParadigm cardboard shipper. Please do not write or place any patient identifying information on the exterior of the shipper.

• Specimen submitted in the incorrect tube type
• Specimen received after the instability date
• Hemolyzed specimen
• Frozen specimen
• Insufficient cell count
• Insufficient tumor content
• Bacterial overgrowth
• Unlabeled specimen
• Specimen submitted with an incomplete requisition form
• Specimen left unfixed or not refrigerated for an extended period of time

If a specimen is rejected, the authorized ordering provider will be notified immediately by siParadigm.