Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Serum

Container/Tube:  Gold-top serum gel tube(s)

Specimen:  2 mL (minimum volume:  0.5 mL) of serum
Transport Temperature:  Ambient

Collection Instructions:  Allow specimen to clot for approximately 10 minutes, spin down, and send entire tube to laboratory. If there is a delay in transport of >24 hours, send specimen refrigerated.

Note:  1. For Aspen Valley Hospital emergency room patients, inpatients, and outpatients, a signed “Consent for Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Test” form in “Special Instructions” is required (with the exception of accidental exposure work-ups) for processing.

2. For Aspen Valley Hospital outreach clients, the physician office is responsible for obtaining the signed “Consent for Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Test” form in “Special Instructions.” The form should be retained on the patient chart at the physician office. Do not send consent form to the Aspen Valley Hospital laboratory.

3. Indicate serum on request form.

4. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

Alternate:

Plasma

Container/Tube:  Light green-top (lithium heparin gel) tube(s) - Lavender-top (EDTA) tube or yellow-top (ACD) tube is also acceptable.

Specimen:  2 mL (minimum volume:  0.5 mL) of lithium heparin plasma
Transport Temperature:  Ambient
Collection Instructions:  Spin down immediately and send entire tube to laboratory. If there is a delay in transport of >24 hours, send specimen refrigerated.

Note:  1. For Aspen Valley Hospital emergency room patients, inpatients, and outpatients, a signed “Consent for Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Test” form in “Special Instructions” is required (with the exception of accidental exposure work-ups) for processing.

2. For Aspen Valley Hospital outreach clients, the physician office is responsible for obtaining the signed “Consent for Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Test” form in “Special Instructions.” The form should be retained on the patient chart at the physician office. Do not send consent form to the Aspen Valley Hospital laboratory.

3. Indicate plasma on request form.
4. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).