Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of collection.

Contact Huntsville Hospital Hematology Department at 256-265-8697 prior to collection.

1. Collect specimen using sterile technique.
2. Submit specimen in a capped syringe or a sterile, leakproof container containing 0.5 mL to 1 mL of non-bacteriostatic heparin.
3. Label container with patient’s information, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
4. Forward specimen promptly.

Note:  1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
2. Maximum storage of specimen is 12 hours at ambient temperature.