Reference

Specimen Handling Guide

A quick reference for clinic, lab, and pharmacy teams. Each entry covers containers, temperature, stability, rejection criteria, and compliance notes — all written for real-world courier handoff.

Set up a route How it works & pricing

Educational reference only. Always defer to your lab's specimen-collection manual and the test vendor's kit insert.

Blood

Whole Blood (EDTA / Lavender Top)

CBC, hemoglobin A1c, and most hematology panels. Lavender-top tube preserves cells with EDTA anticoagulant.

Refrigerated (2–8°C)Same-day or scheduled route. STAT available for clinic-to-lab runs.

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Serum (SST / Gold Top)

Most chemistry, lipid, hormone, and serology panels. Gel barrier separates serum after centrifugation.

Refrigerated (2–8°C) after spinSame-day route to reference lab; STAT for cardiac or endocrine panels.

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Plasma (Sodium Citrate / Light Blue Top)

Coagulation studies — PT/INR, PTT, fibrinogen, D-dimer.

Ambient or Refrigerated (2–8°C)STAT recommended for PT/PTT — narrow stability window.

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Microbiology

Stool — Culture & Pathogen Panel

C. difficile toxin, GI pathogen PCR, ova & parasites, occult blood.

Refrigerated (2–8°C); Cary-Blair ambient up to 48hSame-day to reference micro lab; refrigerated route.

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Blood Culture Bottles

Aerobic/anaerobic culture for sepsis workup. Bottles inoculated bedside.

Body temperature (37°C)STAT only — body-temp transport, no batching.

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Respiratory Swab (NP / OP)

Nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs for COVID-19, influenza, RSV, strep.

Refrigerated (2–8°C)Same-day refrigerated route; STAT for ED admit decisions.

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Pathology

Tissue / Biopsy in Formalin

Surgical pathology, biopsy, frozen-section follow-up.

AmbientScheduled route — ambient transport, no rush handling required.

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Molecular

Molecular / PCR Specimens

Send-out NGS, infectious-disease PCR, oncology mutation panels.

Refrigerated (2–8°C); some require Frozen (−20°C or −70°C)Scheduled route to ship-out hub; refrigerated or frozen as required.

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Urine/Stool

Urine — Routine / Random

Urinalysis, dipstick, microscopy, urine pregnancy, drug screen.

Refrigerated (2–8°C)Same-day route; STAT for ED or urgent care.

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Urine — 24-Hour Collection

Creatinine clearance, metanephrines, 5-HIAA, protein quantitation.

Refrigerated (2–8°C) throughout collection and transportScheduled pickup at 24-hour completion; refrigerated transport.

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Pharmacy

Pharmacy — Controlled Substance Rx

Schedule II–V medication delivery from pharmacy to clinic, facility, or patient.

Ambient (unless drug-specific)Same-day or scheduled; STAT available for hospice and discharge meds.

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Pharmacy — Refrigerated / Cold-Chain Rx

Insulin, biologics, vaccines, some chemotherapy oral agents.

Refrigerated (2–8°C)Same-day cold-chain route; STAT for hospital pharmacy transfers.

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