Specimen Requirements
Specimen collection, preparation, and handling are essential steps in obtaining accurate test results. Proper procedures must be followed to assure the integrity of the specimen as well as its safe and expedient delivery to the laboratory for its processing. For your convenience, we provide specimen collection kits containing all necessary supplies and easy-to-follow instructions for all of our tests.
Each test has specific requirements for specimen collection. Be sure to review the specimen requirements for the requested test.
Your specimen collection kit should include the following:
- Patient preparation instructions
- Proper specimen and amount to be collected
- Collection tubes and containers
- Handling, storage, and shipping requirements
If your specimen collection kit is missing any of the items above, please contact us.
Specimen Collection & Preparation
For information on how to prepare for and collect a specimen, please visit our Test Menu.
Select the test you would like instructions for and click on the "Downloads" tab to open or download a printable PDF.
Avoiding Common Errors in Specimen Collection
Careful attention to the specific requirements for each test specimen can help to avoid the following general specimen collection errors:
- Insufficient quantity
- Over filling tubes with specimen that requires freezing
- Blood collection and transfer errors, including the exposure of blood to extreme temperatures, could result in hemolysis
- Failure to use the correct container for specimen collection
- Inaccurate and incomplete patient guidance
- Failure to label a specimen correctly
- Failure to provide all pertinent information
- Failure to tighten specimen container lids, resulting in leakage and/or contamination of specimen
Insufficient Quantity of Specimen
One of the most common and expensive errors in specimen collection is the submission of an insufficient sample for testing. When this occurs, our laboratory has to send out a report marked QNS (Quantity Not Sufficient) and the patient must be contacted to request for a repeat collection, at an additional expense and inconvenience to the patient and to the healthcare provider. To ensure an adequate amount of specimen is collected, be sure to:
- Always draw whole blood in an amount 2.5 times the volume of serum or plasma required for a particular test (e.g., if 4 ml serum are required, draw at least 10 ml whole blood).
- For most serum and plasma tests, check to be certain that the transfer tube is at least half full.
- Please note: A specimen with a volume lower than the stated minimum volume for a particular test cannot be processed. Stated minimum volumes are absolute minimums which do not allow for retesting.
Reasons for a Rejected Specimen
- No Requisition
- Spoiled specimen
- Test not marked on Requisition
- Submitted wrong specimen for test requested
- No payment or billing information
- Quantity Not Sufficient (QNS)
- Total volume not recorded (see Requisition)
- No Collection Date, inability to verify sample stability for test
Common Causes of Aberrant Test Values
Medications: Sometimes prescription and over-the-counter medications can interfere with chemical determinations or alter levels of the substances being tested. Medications with known or observed interferences are indicated in the individual description for tests affected.
Lipemia: Non-fasting blood specimens can have excessive amounts of lipids (fats), which can interfere with many test methods. If a specimen appears lipemic (milky), please determine if the patient is fasting. If the patient has forgotten to fast, it will be necessary to redraw the specimen when the patient is fasting. It is good practice to confirm the patient has fasted before drawing the sample. For patients with known hyperlipidemia, a longer fast than normal may be necessary. Normal fasting time required is 8 to 12 hours. Please note on the test requisition that the patient has a history of hyperlipidemia.
Hemolysis: Hemolysis occurs when red blood cells rupture and hemoglobin and other intracellular components spill into the serum. Hemolyzed serum may be pink or red rather than the normal clear straw color. For many of our tests, hemolysis requires redrawing the specimen. (Refer to specific test kit instructions.)
Patient Preparation
For most of our tests, it is not necessary for the patient to discontinue nutritional supplements prior to specimen collection. However, be sure to review the specific test kit instructions. If the patient is to collect the specimen at home, it is very important that the healthcare provider review the instructions with the patient. The patient's understanding of the specimen collection procedures is vital to ensuring accuracy and avoiding delay in test results. Patients should be informed that urine and blood specimens are generally collected during the early morning hours after waking and before eating, usually about 8 to 12 hours after the last ingestion of food or drink (water is permitted). Specimens collected during this "fasting" period will yield the most reliable results. Timed specimens should be discussed in detail with patients. For example, the Adrenal Stress Profile requires a series of timed saliva samples.
Safety and Disposal Considerations in Specimen Collection
In all settings where specimens are collected and prepared for testing, laboratory and healthcare personnel should follow current recommended sterile techniques, including precautions regarding the use of needles and other sterile equipment as well as guidelines for the responsible disposal of all biological material and contaminated specimen collection supplies. Guidelines for the proper use and disposal of needles and other biohazard materials are on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site.
Shipping and Handling (Domestic Customers)
As we endeavor to continually offer superior customer service, Genova Diagnostics has partnered with Federal Express for all domestic shipments of our test kits (except for bloodspot tests, which have to be shipped through the United States Postal Service).
- Call 1.800.GoFedEx ─ 1.800.463.3339
- Say, "Return a package"
- When connected with a FedEx customer service representative, please tell them:
- Name, phone number, address, and zip code
- Express Service via Billable Stamp
- Close kit box, but do not staple or tape
- FedEx will ask for the number of packages and then provide you with your pickup time
- Kits must be sent Monday through Friday only for GDX products and Monday through Thursday for Metametrix products
Shipping Instructions for Domestic Customers:
Forms for Domestic Customers:
Shipping and Handling (International Customers)
International clients will need to make separate shipping arrangements with FedEx®, Purolator®, DHL®, or other similar carrier. Please contact us with any other questions regarding shipping policies. If working with an International distributor, please follow the shipping instructions provided in your collection kit or contact the distributor for directions.
Our Inbound International Commercial Invoice document is included in triplicate in all international kits, and also is available below for download. It is imperative that you use this form, and not any internal forms you may been using previously, to avoid customs delays. We strongly encourage you to make this change promptly, to implement the use of this document, and to inform your team of this updated document.
Forms for International Customers:
Where Do I Send My Test? – Shipping Instructions for International Customers
Dry Ice Recommendations (Please check with your courier of choice):
General Shipping Information
Genova Diagnostics provides its clients with specimen collection kits for tests. Each kit comes with detailed specimen collection instructions and prepaid shipping containers to ensure the safe and timely delivery of specimens to our laboratory
Please note the following important points:
- Send the specimens in shipping containers that come with the test kit. This helps expedite the handling and processing of the specimens.
- All samples received by Genova Diagnostics must be properly identified. Clearly label each specimen with a permanent marker including: patient's full name, date of birth, collection date, and specimen type.
- Specimen integrity is essential. Properly position tubes so they are secure in the mailing containers before inserting them in the mailer. The tops on all tubes should be securely sealed prior to shipping to help assure the safe arrival of specimens and prevent delays of the test.
- For Saliva Tests - Seal all filled saliva tubes with pad in the biohazard bag. Place the biohazard bag in the clear plastic box. Place your completed and signed requisition form on top of biohazard bag and close plastic box. Do NOT staple or tape box. Put the kit box into the pre-paid mailing envelope. Seal envelope. Specimens must be returned in the kit box in order to be delivered to the lab for analysis.
- For Blood & Urine Tests - Place the freezer brick (must be frozen for at least 8 hours according to test instructions included in the kit) in the polyfoam container. Place vial sleeve with specimens in biohazard bag and seal securely. Place the biohazard bag and urine sample bag from patient inside the polyfoam container on the brick. DO NOT ship urine and blood specimens separately. Place completed and signed requisition form on top of the bags. Place the lid on the polyfoam container and seal the kit. Unfold the pre-paid FedEx mailer and fill out the "FROM" portion with your name and address. DO NOT write or mark in any other sections. Place the polyfoam kit inside the box then place in the FedEx lab pack mailer and seal.
- For Blood Tests - Remove foam box from kit box. Place frozen freezer brick in bottom of foam box. Lay biohazard bag with specimen inside, on top of the freezer brick. Replace lid on foam box. Place rubber band around foam box to secure lid. Slide foam box back inside kit box and place completed and signed requisition on top before closing. Close kit box, but no not staple or tape. Unfold the pre-paid FedEx mailer and fill out the "FROM" portion with your name and address. DO NOT write or mark in any other sections. Put the kit box into the FedEx lab pack. Seal FedEx lab pack. Specimens must be returned in the kit box in order to be delivered to the lab for analysis.
- For Urine Tests - Seal all urine sample tubes and place in the biohazard bag. Place the biohazard bag into the kit box and place completed and signed requisition on top before closing. Close kit box, but do not staple or tape. Unfold the pre-paid FedEx mailer and fill out the "FROM" portion with your name and address. DO NOT write or mark in any other sections. Put the kit box into the envelope. Seal FedEx lab pack. Specimens must be returned in the kit box in order to be delivered to the lab for analysis.
- Send specimens via FedEx® (for domestic customers) using the shipping bag and billable stamp (airbill) provided with the test kit, Monday through Friday only for GDX products and Monday through Thursday for Metametrix products (unless otherwise specified on the kit instructions). To schedule a pickup call 1-800-GO-FEDEX (1-800-463-3339) or visit their website at www.fedex.com
Testing may also be done without the use of a Genova Diagnostics/Metametrix supplied kit. A completed Requisition must accompany the specimen or the test cannot be processed. Please call Client Services to have a Requisition faxed to you. You may use a carrier such as FedEx® or DHL® to ship specimens back to our laboratory. Be sure to follow the specific test collection and shipping preparation instructions for appropriate handling of specimens (refer to test specific instructions in the test menu).
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