Acceptability of Specimens

The Department of Laboratories has the right not to send back specimens it
deems unacceptable. These include:

1. Mislabeled specimens
2. Incompletely filled up Request Form or wrong Request Form
3. Amount of specimen insufficient for test requested (QNS – quality not
sufficient)
4. Hemolyzed blood specimens
5. Inappropriate preservative or anticoagulant used
6. Inappropriate specimen submitted for the test requested
7. Improperly collected, handled and transported specimens
8. Contaminated specimens
9. Protracted time elapsed since collection
10. Laboratory test requested is unavailable

Unaccepted or unsuitable specimens are returned to their originating units for

rectification. Please call the laboratory and speak to the technologist or
resident on duty for any questions or clarifications regarding the rejected
specimen.

Releasing of Results
In-patient results (Pay and Charity) are only released to Ward personnel,
physicians, interns and clerks.

Outpatient (OPD) results are released directly to the requesting outpatient

clinic.

Out-Pay results are released to patients, their relatives, or their representative

upon proper identification.

The Laboratory does not release results by phone.

The Pathology Resident on Duty or Medical Technologist on Duty may call units
whose patients have critical laboratory values to investigate and relay results.

2
Stat Examinations
As identified by the UP-PGH Task Force on Hospital Diagnostics, the following
laboratory examinations are the only tests to be requested as “STAT”:

TURN-AROUND TIME UPON

LABORATORY PROCEDURE SECTION RECEIPT OF SPECIMEN BY THE
CORRESPONDING SECTION*
Blood Typing Blood Bank 30 minutes
Cross-matching Blood Bank Not more than 1 hour
Stat urine examinations Clinical Microscopy 30 minutes
 Ketone
 pH
 protein (qualitative)
 specific gravity
 sugar (qualitative)
Urinalysis Clinical Microscopy 1 hour
Pregnancy Test Clinical Microscopy 1 hour
Gram stain Microbiology 1 hour
CBC Hematology 1 hour
PT/aPTT Hematology 1 hour
Electrolytes Clinical Chemistry 1 hour
BUN Clinical Chemistry 1 hour
Creatinine Clinical Chemistry 1 hour
Sugar Clinical Chemistry 1 hour
ALT/AST Clinical Chemistry 1 hour
Bilirubin Clinical Chemistry 1 hour
(Total/Direct/Indirect)
Troponin I Clinical Chemistry 1 hour
Total CK, CK-MB Clinical Chemistry 1 hour
Qualitative/Quantitative Clinical Microscopy/ 2 hours
Examinations of body fluids Clinical Chemistry
*STAT specimens may be subject to holdup depending on the amount of specimens processed in
the section at a given time.

In accordance with the 2001 edition of the PGH Guide to Diagnostic

Examinations, to prevent abuse and misuse of “STAT” examinations, the
following guidelines are reiterated:

1. “STAT” Request Forms will require a stamp indicating the word “STAT”
and certified by the consultant in charge, senior resident of the service
or chief resident.
2. Additional surcharges may be appropriated by the Laboratory for
processing “STAT” requests.
3. “STAT” examinations are only made available for patients in the
DEMS, OBAS, ICUs and ORs, and may be extended to other units on a
case-to-case basis.

3
Blood Bank Blood Bank Complex, Local 3214

LABORATORY CONTAINER SPECIMEN/ PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING

PROCEDURE QUANTITY EXAMINATION OF
RESULTS
ABO & Rh Purple top Whole Fasting not  Daily Non-
Typing (EDTA blood, necessary  Cut off time: emergency
anticoagulant) 3-5cc 6pm for non- 4 hours
emergency upon
Antibody Purple top Whole Fasting not  Daily receipt of
screening (EDTA blood, necessary  Cut off time: specimen.
anticoagulant) 3-5cc 6pm for non- Stat results
emergency in 20
Direct Coombs’ Purple top Whole Fasting not  Daily minutes.
Test (EDTA blood, necessary  Cut off time:
anticoagulant) 3-5cc 6pm for non-
emergency
Cross-matching Purple top Whole Fasting not  Daily
(EDTA blood, necessary  Cut off time:
anticoagulant) 3-5cc 6pm for non-
emergency
Note: Pediatric patients may use microtainer with minimum specimen volume as follows:
 <6 months: 1 mL
 >6 months 2 mL
All specimens must be at most 2 days post-extraction.

Other services
PROCEDURE PATIENT PREPARATION SCHEDULING
Blood Donor Services Please refer to PGH donor Daily, 7 AM to 4:30 PM
screening criteria
Autologous donation (self- Fasting not necessary As per order by attending /RIC
donation)
Plasmapheresis Fasting not necessary Upon notification by Medical
specialist/RIC (Hematologist)
Platelet pheresis Fasting not necessary  Daily
 Cut off time: 6pm

4
Clinical Chemistry Room 3, Central Laboratory, Local 3212

LABORATORY CONTAINER SPECIMEN/ PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING

PROCEDURE QUANTITY EXAMINATION OF
RESULTS
Fasting Blood Red top, Serum, At least 8- 24 hours Within 3
Sugar (FBS) plain test 3-5ml hour fasting hours upon
tube receipt
Random Blood Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
Sugar (RBS) plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
2 hour Post Red top, Serum, Extraction  Daily Within 3
Prandial Glucose plain test 3-5ml done after 2  Please hours of
tube hours of food schedule last
intake extraction
Oral Glucose Red top, Serum, At least 8 hour  Daily Within 3
Tolerance Test plain test 3-5ml fasting,  Please hours of
 100g tube extraction schedule last
 75g done at 1  No extraction
 50g hour intervals extraction
done beyond 9
am
Oral Glucose Red top, Serum, Fasting not  Daily Within 3
Challenge Test plain test 3-5ml necessary,  Please hours upon
tube extraction schedule receipt
done after 1
hour of
glucose intake
Hb1Ac Purple top, 3-5ml Fasting not 24 hours After 24
(Glycosylated EDTA anti- necessary hours; may
Hemoglobin) coagulant be earlier
Potassium Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
Sodium Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours
plain test necessary
tube
Chloride Red top, 3-5ml Fasting not 24 hours
plain test necessary
tube
Magnesium Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours  Within 3
plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
 Stat
results in 2
hours
Phosphorus Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours  Within 3
plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
 Stat
results in 2
hours

5
Potassium, Green top, Plasma,  Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
plasma heparin 3-5ml necessary hours upon
anti-  No exercise receipt
coagulant (e.g. clenching
of fists)
Calcium, ionized Green top, Plasma,  Fasting not 24 hours Within 2
heparin 3-5ml necessary hours upon
anti-  Must be receipt
coagulant submitted
within 20 min
to the Chem
Section once
extracted
Blood Urea Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours  Within 3
Nitrogen (BUN) plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
 Stat
results in 2
hours
Creatinine Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours  Within 3
plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
 Stat
results in 2
hours
Uric Acid (BUA) Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
Lipid profile Red top, Serum, At least 12- 24 hours Within 3
 Total plain test 3-5ml hour fasting, hours upon
Cholesterol tube water is receipt
 Triglycerides allowed but
 HDL sips only
 LDL
SGPT (ALT) Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
SGOT (AST) Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
LDH Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
ALP (Alkaline Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
phosphatase) plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
Lipase Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
Amylase Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt

6
Bilirubin Red top, Serum,  Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
 Total plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
 Direct tube  Must be receipt
 Indirect submitted
immediately
to the Chem
Section once
extracted
 Specimen
vial must be
wrapped in
carbon paper
Serum Protein Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
 Albumin plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
 Globulin tube receipt
 A/G ratio
 CK Total Red top, Serum,  Fasting not 24 hours  Within 3
 CK-MB plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube  Must be receipt
submitted  Stat
immediately results in 2
to the Chem hours
Section once
extracted
Hepatitis rapid Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours Within 2
screening plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
 Hep B tube receipt
 Hep C
Drug Assay Red top, Serum, Fasting not  Daily; Within 3
 Acetaminophen plain test 3-5ml necessary Must be hours upon
 GGT tube approved by receipt
 Phenobarbital the Med Tech
on duty
TCO2 Red top, Serum, Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
plain test 3-5ml necessary hours upon
tube receipt
Ammonia Green top, Plasma,  Fasting not 24 hours Within 3
heparin 3-5ml necessary hours upon
anti-  Must be receipt
coagulant submitted
within 15 min
to the Chem
Section once
extracted

Note: Specimen volume provided is the minimum to run a specimen. Each test
will need 30-50 microliters of serum. All specimens must be sent within 2 hours
of extraction.

7
Body Fluid Chemistry
LABORATORY CONTAINER SPECIMEN/ PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING
PROCEDURE QUANTITY EXAMINATION OF
RESULTS
24 hour Urine Clean, dry 24 hour Indicate time Monday to Within 4
Chemistry container urine started of Friday except hours upon
 Sodium collection holidays receipt
 Potassium
 Chloride
 Total Protein
 Creatinine
 Uric Acid
 Urine
Nitrogen
 Calcium
 Magnesium
 Phosphorus
Random Urine Clean, dry Urine, Freshly voided  Daily Within 4
Chemistry container at least early morning  Cut off time: hours upon
 Sodium 10ml or random 11am, 7pm, receipt
 Potassium midstream 3am
 Chloride urine sample
 Total Protein
 Creatinine
 Uric Acid
 Urine
Nitrogen
 Calcium
 Magnesium
 Phosphorus
CSF Chemistry Clean, dry CSF, at Indicate test  Daily Within 4
 Total protein container least 3ml  Cut off time: hours upon
 Albumin 11am, 7pm, receipt
 Sugar 3am
 LDH
 Amylase
Other body fluids Clean, dry At least Indicate test  Daily Within 4
container 3ml  Cut off time: hours upon
11am, 7pm, receipt
3am

Note: Specimen volume provided is the minimum to run a specimen. Each test
will need 30-50 microliters of fluid. All specimens must be sent within 2 hours of
extraction.

8
Clinical Microscopy Room 2, Central Laboratory, Local 3210

Urine Examinations
LABORATORY CONTAINER SPECIMEN/ PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING
PROCEDURE QUANTITY EXAMINATION OF RESULTS
Urinalysis Clean, dry Urine, Freshly voided 24 hours Within 1
 Chemical container at least early morning hour upon
examination 10ml or random receipt
 pH midstream using flow
 Albumin urine sample cytometry
 Sugar (automated)
 Specific method, or
gravity Within 2
 Ketone hours upon
 Bilirubin receipt
 Uro- using
bilinogen manual
 Hemo- method
globin
 Leukocyte
 Nitrite
 Physical
examination
 Sediment
analysis
RBC Clean, dry Urine, Freshly voided 24 hours Within 2
morphology, container at least early morning hours upon
urine 10ml or random receipt
midstream
urine sample
Pregnancy Test Clean, dry Urine, Freshly voided 24 hours Within 2
container at least early morning hours upon
10ml or random receipt
midstream
urine sample
Stat urine Clean, dry Urine, Freshly voided 24 hours Within 30
examinations container at least early morning minutes
 Ketone 10ml or random upon
 pH midstream receipt
 protein urine sample
(qualitative)
 specific
gravity
 sugar
(qualitative)
Hemosiderin Clean, dry Urine, Freshly voided 24 hours Within 2
container at least early morning hours upon
10ml or random receipt
midstream
urine sample

9
Stool Examinations
LABORATORY CONTAINER SPECIMEN/ PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING
PROCEDURE QUANTITY EXAMINATION OF
RESULTS
Fecalysis Clean, dry,  10g if  Specimen 24 hours Within 2
wide mouth solid must not be hours
container  10ml if contaminated upon
watery with receipt
urine/water
 Use clean
stick for
collection
FECT (Formalin Clean, dry,  10g if  Specimen 24 hours Within 2
Ether wide mouth solid must not be hours
Concentration container  10ml if contaminated upon
Technique) watery with receipt
urine/water
Stool Exam for Clean, dry  10 g if  Freshly 24 hours Within one
Cryptosporidium wide mouth solid collected (1) hour
/ Giardia Lamblia container  10 mL if stool upon
Antigen with cap watery  Specimen receipt or
and label must not be 30 minutes
contaminat if STAT
ed with
urine/water
Stool Exam for E. Clean, dry  10 g if  Freshly 24 hours Within one
Histiolytica wide mouth solid collected (1) hour
Antigen. container  10 mL if stool upon
with cap watery  Specimen receipt or
and label must not be 30 minutes
contaminat if STAT
ed with
urine/water
Rotavirus Antigen Clean, dry  10 g if  Freshly 24 hours Within one
Stool Test wide mouth solid collected (1) hour
container  10 mL if stool upon
with cap watery  Specimen receipt or
and label must not be 30 minutes
contaminat if STAT
ed with
urine/water
Immunochemical Clean, dry  10 g if  Freshly 24 hours Within one
Fecal Occult wide mouth solid collected (1) hour
Blood Test container  10 mL if stool upon
(iFOBT) with cap watery  Specimen receipt or
and label must not be 30 minutes
contaminat if STAT
ed with
urine/water
 No dietary
preparation
needed

10
Occult Blood Clean, dry,  10 g if  Freshly 24 hours Within one
(FOBT; Guiaiac wide mouth solid collected (1) hour
Peroxidase container  10 mL if stool upon
Method) with cap watery  Specimen receipt or
and label must not be 30 minutes
contaminat if STAT
ed with
urine or
water
 Preferably
patient
must not
have eaten
any red
meat for
three (3)
days

Semen Examination
LABORATORY CONTAINER SPECIMEN/ PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING
PROCEDURE QUANTITY EXAMINATION OF RESULTS
Semenalysis Clean, dry, Semen, 3 to 5 days of 24 hours Within 4
wide mouth whole no sexual hours upon
container volume contact or receipt
ejaculation of
semen

Other Body Fluids Examinations

LABORATORY CONTAINER SPECIMEN/ PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING
PROCEDURE QUANTITY EXAMINATION OF RESULTS
Body Fluid Clean, dry  CSF None 24 hours Within 2
examination container  Peri- hours upon
 pH toneal fluid receipt
 Specific  Pleural
gravity fluid
 WBC count
 Differential
count
 RBC count
 RBC
morphology
Synovial Fluid Green top, Synovial None 24 hours Within 2
examination heparin fluid hours upon
 pH anti- receipt
 Specific coagulant
gravity
 WBC count
 Differential
count
 RBC count
 RBC
morphology

11
Vaginal washing Clean, dry Vaginal 24 hours Within 2
examination container washing hours upon
receipt
Ferning Test Clean, dry Vaginal Done at the 24 hours Within 2
slides discharge wards hours upon
receipt

Urinary or Kidney Stone Analysis

LABORATORY CONTAINER QUANTITY PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING
PROCEDURE EXAMINATION OF RESULTS
Urinary or Clean, dry Entire None 24 hours Within 4
Kidney Stone container specimen hours upon
analysis receipt

12
Hematology Room 4, Central Laboratory, Local 3213

LABORATORY CONTAINER SPECIMEN/ PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING

PROCEDURE QUANTITY EXAMINATION OF RESULTS
Activated Partial Blue top, Whole Identify if  24 hours  Within 2
Thromboplastin 3.2% blood, patient is hours upon
Time (aPTT) Sodium quantity taking anti- receipt
citrate anti- depends coagulant  Stat
coagulant on medication results in 1
container hour
Complete Blood Purple top, Whole None  24 hours  Within 2
Count (CBC) EDTA anti- blood, hours upon
 WBC count coagulant quantity receipt
 Differential depends  Stat
Count on results in 30
 Red Cell container minutes
Count
 Hemoglobin
 Hematocrit
(Hct)
 Mean Cell
Volume
(MCV)
 Mean Cell
Hemoglobin
(MCH)
 Mean Cell
Hemoglobin
Concentration
(MCHC)
 RDW
 Platelet
Count (Plt)
Erythrocyte Purple top, Whole None  Daily  Within 4
Sedimentation EDTA anti- blood,  Cut off time: hours upon
Rate (ESR) coagulant quantity 3pm receipt
depends
on
container
Filarial Smear Purple top, Whole Collection  Daily Within 4
EDTA anti- blood, should be  Cut off time: hours upon
coagulant quantity between 3am receipt
depends 10pm to 3am
on
container
Hematocrit (Hct) Purple top, Whole None  24 hours  Within 2
EDTA anti- blood, hours upon
coagulant quantity receipt
depends  Stat
on results in 30
container minutes

13
Hemoglobin Purple top, Whole None  24 hours  Within 2
(Hgb) EDTA anti- blood, hours upon
coagulant quantity receipt
depends  Stat
on results in 30
container minutes
LE Cell LE vial with Whole None  Mondays to After 3pm
Preparation glass beads, blood, Fridays except
or plain quantity holidays
tube depends  Cut off time:
on 10am
container
Malarial Smear Purple top, Whole None  Daily Within 4
EDTA anti- blood,  Cut off time: hours upon
coagulant quantity 12nn, 7pm, receipt
depends 3am
on
container
Peripheral Blood Purple top, Whole None  24 hours Within 4
Smear EDTA anti- blood, hours upon
Examination coagulant quantity receipt
depends
on
container
Platelet Count Purple top, Whole None  24 hours  Within 2
EDTA anti- blood, hours upon
coagulant quantity receipt
depends  Stat
on results in 30
container minutes
Prothrombin Blue top, Whole Identify if  24 hours  Within 2
Time (PT) 3.2% blood, patient is hours upon
Sodium quantity taking anti- receipt
citrate anti- depends coagulant  Stat
coagulant on medication results in 1
container hour
Reticulocyte Purple top, Whole None  24 hours Within 2
Count EDTA anti- blood, hours upon
coagulant quantity receipt
depends
on
container
Toxic Purple top, Whole None  24 hours Within 4
Granulation EDTA anti- blood, hours upon
Detection coagulant quantity receipt
depends
on
container

14
Special Procedures
PROCEDURE PATIENT PREPARATION SCHEDULING
Bleeding Time (Ivy Method)  Done by Interns in the  Daily
Charity Wards  Cut off time:
 Done by Phlebotomists in 12nn, 7pm, 3am
OPD, OEL and Pay Wards
Clot Retraction Time (CRT)  Done by Interns in the  Daily
Charity Wards  Cut off time:
 Done by Phlebotomists in 12nn, 7pm, 3am
OPD, OEL and Pay Wards
Clotting Time  Done by Interns in the  Daily
Charity Wards  Cut off time:
 Done by Phlebotomists in 12nn, 7pm, 3am
OPD, OEL and Pay Wards
Osmotic Fragility Test (OFT) Done at the OPD By schedule

Body Fluids Automated Analysis

LABORATORY CONTAINER SPECIMEN/ PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING
PROCEDURE QUANTITY EXAMINATION OF RESULTS
Differential Plain tube  CSF None 24 hours Within 4
Count  Peri- hours upon
toneal fluid receipt
 Pleural
fluid
WBC Count Plain tube  CSF None 24 hours Within 4
 Peri- hours upon
toneal fluid receipt
 Pleural
fluid
RBC Count Plain tube  CSF None 24 hours Within 4
 Peri- hours upon
toneal fluid receipt
 Pleural
fluid
Hematocrit Plain tube  CSF None 24 hours Within 4
 Peri- hours upon
toneal fluid receipt
 Pleural
fluid

Note on Testing Volume: Actual volume per test run is 165 µL for CBC, and 50
µL for PT/PTT, however, volume requirement depends on the type/brand of
tube used, due to need for proper dilution of blood with anticoagulant. Over or
underfilled vials will result in discrepancy of results due to an indirect
anticoagulant to blood ratio.

15
Immunopathology Room 1, Central Laboratory, Local 3204
LABORATORY CONTAINER SPECIMEN/ PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING
PROCEDURE QUANTITY EXAMINATION OF
RESULTS
TUMOR MARKERS
AFP (Alpha
Feto-Protein)
Quali/Quanti
tPSA (Total
Prostate-
Specific
Antigen)
(Diluted or
undiluted) Serum,
CEA 3 ml (if
(Carcinoembryo submitted
nic Antigen) for only
Red top,
(Diluted or one test; if Fasting not
plain test
undiluted) multiple necessary
tube Results of
tests will be
CA 125 (Diluted done, specimens
or undiluted) submit 5 received
CA 19-9 ml) before cut
(Diluted or off time
undiluted) will be
available
CA 15-3  Daily except 3-4 hours
Sundays after
HE4 (Human  Cut off time: receipt.
Epididymis Weekdays 3pm Those that
Protein 4) Saturday 4 pm did not
ANEMIA make it to
Red top, the cut-off
Ferritin Serum, Fasting not time will
plain test
Quali/Quanti 3 ml necessary have their
tube
FERTILITY/PREGNANCY results
Beta HCG Red top, available
Serum, Fasting not the next
(Diluted or plain test
3 ml necessary day.
undiluted) tube
THYROID
TSH Red top,
Serum, Fasting not
Free T3 plain test
3 ml necessary
Free T4 tube
HEPATITIS
HBs-Ag
Anti-HBs
Anti-HBc Total
Anti-HBc IgM Red top,
Fasting not
HBe-Ag plain test Serum, 3ml
necessary
Anti-HBe tube
Anti-HAV (IgM)
Anti-HCV

16
Hepatitis B
Profile (HBsAg,
Anti-HBs, Anti-
HBc total, Anti- Serum, 5ml
HBc IgM,
HBeAg, Anti-
HBe)
Hepatitis Profile
(HBsAg, Anti-
HBs, Anti-HBc
total, Anti-HBc
Serum, 5ml
IgM, HBeAg,
Anti-HBe, Anti-
HAV IgM, Anti-
HCV)
Results of
specimens
received
before cut
off time
will be
available
by 4-4:30
pm on the
TORCH (Toxo  Daily except
same day
IgG, Toxo IgM, Sundays
of
Rubella IgG, Red top,  Cut off time:
Fasting not specimen
Rubella IgM, plain test Serum, 5ml weekdays 11
necessary receipt.
CMV IgG, CMV tube am
Those that
IgM, HSV 1 IgG, Saturday 12
did not
HSV 2 IgG) noon
make it to
the cut-off
time will
have their
results
available
the next
day by 4-
4:30 pm.
Results of
Toxo IgG specimens
received
before cut
Toxo IgM off time
 Daily except
will be
Red top, Sundays
Serum, Fasting not available
Rubella IgG plain test  Cut off time:
3 ml necessary 3-4 hours
tube Weekdays 3pm
after
Saturday 4 pm
Rubella IgM receipt.
Those that
did not
CMV IgG make it to
the cut-off

17
 time will
CMV IgM have their
results
available
Syphilis the next
day.
CARDIAC MARKER
1-2 hours
Red top,
Troponin I HS Serum, Fasting not after
plain test 24/7
(Quantitative) 3-5ml necessary specimen
tube
receipt
TEST
 Daily except
Refer to SAGIP
Red top, Sundays
Serum, Unit for c/o SAGIP
HIV Ag/Ab plain test  Cut off time:
5 ml patient Unit
tube Weekdays 3pm
confidentiality
Saturday 4 pm
ELISA
HSV 1 IgG Results of
specimens
HSV 2 IgG received
Dengue before cut
IgG/IgM Serum,
3 ml off time
Salmonella Red top, will be
IgG/IgM plain test available
Varicella IgG tube  Daily except 3-4 hours
Mumps IgG Sundays after
MMR (Mumps  Cut off time: receipt.
IgG, Measles Serum, Fasting not
Weekdays 11 Those that
IgG, Rubella 3-5ml necessary
am did not
IgG) Saturday 12 make it to
noon the cut-off
time will
Serum, red
have their
top plain vial Serum,
Rubeola/Measl results
CSF, clean, 3 ml
es IgG available
dry, sterile CSF, 1ml
the next
contained
day by 4-
4:30 pm.
SEROLOGY
Anti- Results of
Streptolysin- O specimens
(ASO) Titer received
C-Reactive before cut
Red top,
Protein (CRP) Serum, Fasting not off time
plain test  Daily except
Rheumatoid 3 ml necessary will be
tube Sundays
Factor (RF) available
 Cut off time:
Rapid Plasma 3-4 hours
Weekdays 3pm
Reagin (RPR) after
Saturday 4pm
Quali/Quanti receipt.
RAPID TESTING Those that
Dengue NS1 Ag Red top, did not
Serum, Fasting not make it to
Leptospira plain test
3 ml necessary the cut-off
IgG/IgM tube
18
CSF time will
Cryptococcal have their
Antigen Latex Clean, dry, results
Fasting not
Agglutination sterile CSF, 3 ml available
necessary
System (CALAS) container the next
CSF Bactigen day.

19
Microbiology Room 6, Central Laboratory, Local 3206

LABORATORY CONTAINER SPECIMEN/ PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING

PROCEDURE QUANTITY EXAMINATION OF
RESULTS
Acid Fast Bacilli Sterile, 1ml (fluid) Fluid/Solid:  Daily  Within
Stain clean, dry OR Submit in  Cut off time: the day
container 1g (solid) sterile 6pm on week-  Stat
or glass container days, 12nn on results in 1
slide 1 properly without weekends & hour
prepared additives. holidays
slide (for
slides) If using slide,
cover with
another sterile
slide
Gram stain Sterile, 1ml (fluid) Fluid/Solid:  Daily  Within
clean, dry OR Submit in  Cut off time: the day
container 1g (solid) sterile 6pm on week-  Stat
or glass container days, 12nn on results in 1
slide 1 properly without weekends & hour
prepared additives. holidays
slide (for
slides) If using slide,
cover with
another sterile
slide
India Ink Sterile, 1ml (fluid) Fluid/Solid:  Daily  Within
clean, dry OR Submit in  Cut off time: the day
container 1g (solid) sterile 6pm on week-  Stat
or glass container days, 12nn on results in 1
slide 1 properly without weekends & hour
prepared additives. holidays
slide (for
slides) If using slide,
cover with
another sterile
slide

20
Microsopic Sterile, Swab  Swabs:  Daily  Within
Identification: clean, dry soaked Submit ASAP  Cut off time: the day
 Tricho- container with 6pm on week-  Stat
monas or glass specimen;  Slides, submit days, 12nn on results in 1
 Monilla slide no other 3: weekends & hour
(Candida additives  Trichomonas, holidays
albicans) add 3 drops
 Gonococci OR plain NSS and
 Gardnerella cover with
vaginalis 1-3 drops another slide.
each Bring ASAP.
smeared  Monilla: add
onto 3 3 drops of 10%
prepared KOH and cover.
slides.  Gonococci or
Gardnerella,
submit
uncovered
slides.
KOH Mount Sterile vial 1 mL for Vial: Submit  Daily  Within
or glass fluids specimen with  Cut off time: the day
slide 1 g for solid no additives to 6pm on week-  Stat
specimens laboratory days, 12nn on results in 1
Scrapings ASAP weekends & hour
holidays
OR Slide: 3 drops
KOH and cover
1-3 drops with another
smeared sterile slide.
onto 1
slide.
Aerobic studies Clean, dry, Refer to Inquire  Daily 2-5 days
 Culture & sterile next table Microbiology  Cut off time:
Sensitivity container Section of 6pm on week-
 Minimum availability of days, 12nn on
inhibitory stock isolates/ weekends
concentration antibiotics
(MIC)
 Stock
Isolate/
antibiotic
testing
AFB/MTB Clean, dry, 3-5ml for  Proper  Daily  Up to 6
 Culture sterile sputum or collection of  Cut off time: weeks for
 Culture & container other specimen for 6pm on week- routine
Sensitivity fluids. sputum: days, 12nn on procedures
Clean mouth, weekends (depends
collect deep on growth)
cough sputum
samples
 Others:
submit within
2 hours.

21
Anaerobic Orange BTA 3-5ml Must be  Daily  Up to 2
studies for fluid brought to the  Cut off time: weeks for
 Culture Cooked Lab within 2 6pm on week- routine
 Culture & meat broth hours at room days, 12nn on procedure
Sensitity for tissue temperature weekends (growth
dependent)
Fungal studies Clean, dry, 1ml for Must be  Daily  Up to 2
 Culture sterile fluids brought to the  Cut off time: weeks for
 Culture & container 1g for solid Lab within 2 6pm on week- routine
Sensitivity specimens hour at room days, 12nn on procedure
temperature weekends (growth
dependent)

Polymerase Refer to Refer to Refer to  Daily Refer to

Chain Reaction following following following table  Cut off time: next table
table table 6pm on week-
days, 12nn on
weekends
Note: Specimens do not require additives unless otherwise stated.

Commonly Requested Specimens for Culture and Sensitivity

LABORATORY CONTAINER QUANTITY PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING
PROCEDURE EXAMINATION OF
RESULTS
Blood or BTA bottles Must be  Daily 2-5 days
Bone Marrow submitted to the  Cut off time:
CS  Yellow –  Yellow Microbiology 6pm on week-
pedia BTA – 1- Section within days, 12nn on
 Green – 3ml per 2hours, at room weekends /
adult with bottle temp holidays
ARD Blue/
 Blue – adult Green
w/o ARD BTA: – 5-
10 ml per
bottle
Body Fluids Sterile Vial 2 mL Must be  Daily 2-4 days
(Others) submitted within  Cut off time:
2 hours at room 6pm on week-
temp days, 12nn on
weekends
Catheter tip Clean, dry Cut out Must be  Daily 2-3 days
CS sterile (tip) submitted within  Cut off time:
container 2 hours at room 6pm on week-
temp days, 12nn on
weekends
CSF CS Clean, dry Min 1 ml Must be  Daily 2-4 days
sterile submitted within  Cut off time:
container 2 hours at room 6pm on week-
temp days, 12nn on
weekends

22
Ear, eye, ASAP in Scrapings Sterile  Daily 2-4 days
conjunctiva, clean, container, bring  Cut off time:
cornea dry/sterile ASAP 6pm on week-
scrapings CS container  Bedside days, 12nn on
Culture/Transport weekends
OR Media: Ask for
Direct thioglycllate
bedside broth from
culture or in Microbiology;
transport directly place
medium specimen into
broth.
Exudate CS Clean, dry Min 1ml Must be  Daily 2-4 days
(Aspirate) sterile submitted within  Cut off time:
container 2 hours at room 6pm on week-
temp days, 12nn on
weekends
Exudate CS Clean, dry  1g if Must be  Daily 2-3 days
(Swab) sterile solid submitted within  Cut off time:
container  1ml if 2 hours at room 6pm on week-
watery temp days, 12nn on
weekends or
holidays
GBS CS Clean, dry Swab  Submit within 2 Daily 2-3 days
(Rectovaginal sterile soaked hours  Cut off time:
/ Rectal / container with the  Ensure that GBS 6pm on week-
Vaginal) specimen screening is days, 12nn on
writen on the weekends or
form. holidays
Rectal Swab Clean, dry Swab Must be Daily 2-3 days
sterile soaked submitted within  Cut off time:
container with the 2 hours at room 6pm on week-
specimen temp days, 12nn on
weekends or
holidays
Respiratory Clean, dry Swab Must be  Daily 2-5 days
CS sterile soaked submitted within  Cut off time:
(Swab) container with 2 hours at room 6pm on week-
specimen temp days, 12nn on
weekends
Respiratory Clean, dry Min of 2 Must be  Daily 2-3 days
CS sterile mL submitted within  Cut off time:
(Aspirate) container 2 hours at room 6pm on week-
temp days, 12nn on
weekends
Sputum CS Clean, dry Min of 2 Must be  Daily 2-3 days
sterile mL submitted within  Cut off time:
container 2 hours at room 6pm on week-
temp days, 12nn on
weekends

23
Stool CS Clean, dry  1g Must be  Daily 2-3 days
sterile  2-3 ml if submitted within  Cut off time:
container watery 2 hours at room 6pm on week-
temp days, 12nn on
weekends
Tissue CS Clean, dry  1g if Must be  Daily 2-5 days
sterile solid submitted within  Cut off time:
container  1ml if 2 hours at room 6pm on week-
watery temp days, 12nn on
weekends
Urine CS Clean, dry 1ml Must be  Daily 2-5 days
sterile submitted to the  Cut off time:
container within 1 hour, at 6pm on week-
room temp days, 12nn on
weekends
Note: 2 hours should be the maximum time prior to sending the specimen to
the laboratory. However, bringing the specimens as soon as possible is better,
and may result in improved detection/identification of any organisms.

Specimens for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Method

LABORATORY CONTAINER QUANTITY PREPARATION SCHEDULE OF RELEASING
PROCEDURE EXAMINATION OF
RESULTS
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis/Rifampicin Resistance (MTB/Rif)
Sputum Sterile Vial / 2-3 mL Submit Mon-Fri; 10 After 3
Container immediately AM – 5 PM hours**
or transport
on ice
Body Fluids & Sterile Vial / 5-10 mL Submit Mon-Fri; 10 After 3
Aspirates Container immediately AM – 5 PM hours**
or transport
on ice
CSF Sterile Vial / 2-3 mL Submit Mon-Fri; 10 After 3
Container immediately AM – 5 PM hours**
or transport
on ice
Tissues Sterile Vial / 25-50 mg Submit Mon-Fri; 10 After 3
Container in NSS immediately AM – 5 PM hours**
or transport
on ice
Clostridium difficile
Stool Sterile Vial / Pea-size Submit Mon-Fri; 10 After 3
Container immediately AM – 5 PM hours**
or transport
on ice
**Depends on number of tests being run.

24
Surgical Pathology Room 5, Central Laboratory, Local 3207

LABORATORY CONTAINER/ QUANTITY/ SCHEDULE RELEASING

PROCEDURE SPECIMEN PREPARATION OF
RESULTS
Cytology  Smeared  Slides may be air-dried or  Monday to  After 3-5
 Smears glass slides alcohol-fixed (immediately Saturday working
 Cytospin  Clean, dry immersed in 95% ethanol)  Cut-off time: days
 Cell block container for - Air-dried only for 3pm
fluids bone marrow
aspirates
- Ideal for non-
hematological
specimens is to have
2 slides for each
preparation.
 At least 2ml if fluid
specimen (for cell block)
- Ideally brought
immediately –
especially CSF
- Fixed with 95% ethyl
alcohol of equal volume
if not brought
immediately.
- Refrigerate in 4-6°C if
no alcohol is available.
(least preferred)
Adequacy of Smeared  Slides may be air-dried or  Monday to  Initial
Cytology glass slides alcohol-fixed (immediately Saturday Opinion
Specimen (non- immersed in 95% ethanol)  Cut-off time: within 1
hematologic - Ideal for non- 3pm hour.
only) hematological  Final
specimens is to have result after
2 slides for each 5 working
preparation. days
Inpatient Fine Referral form  Filled out Surgical  Monday to  After 5
Needle & consent Pathology form, with prior Friday, 8 AM – working
Aspiration consent of the patient 3 PM days
 Personal endorsement
from one of the medical
professionals in charge of
the patient.
Routine Appropriately  Specimens must be fully  Monday to  After 5
Histopathology sized, clean, submerged in 10% buffered Saturday working
leak-proof formalin, ideally 1:10 ratio  Cut-off time: days
container or  Specimens should be 3 pm for
double-bag labeled properly and with adequately
with labels. an appropriately filled out fixed
form. specimens

25
Frozen Section Clean, dry,  Unfixed specimens  By schedule,  Initial
wide-mouth  Specimens should be well- please call reading
container oriented and labeled 3208 within 20
properly and with an  Monday to minutes of
appropriately filled out Friday 8am to submission,
form. 4pm per slide
 Surgeon or person  Others taken*
knowledgeable about the accepted on a  Final
case should be easily scheduled, result after
contactable or present. case to case 5-7
basis working
days
Note: The Surgical Pathology section reserves the right to reject or send back
specimens that are improperly labeled, or have an inappropriately filled out
form.

Slide Review
LABORATORY REQUIREMENTS SCHEDULE RELEASING OF
PROCEDURE RESULTS
Slide Review Histopath slides Monday to Friday After 5-7 working days
 H&E slides 8am to 4pm
 IHC slides
 Special stains
Bring Official Histopath Result and
short Medical History of the case

Special Histochemical Stains

STAIN REQUIREMENTS SCHEDULE RELEASING OF
RESULTS
Congo Red Paraffin block, Monday to Friday  After 3-7 working
Elastic Stain Histopath Result 8am to 4pm days
Fite Faraco
Giemsa (for H. pylori)
Masson Trichrome
Periodic Acid Schiff
(PAS; with or without
diastase)
Reticulin
Wright’s Stain
RETIC (Reticulin fiber) Paraffin block, H&E Cut off day:  After 3-7 working
slides, Histopath Wednesdays days
Result 12nn

26
Immunohistochemical Stains
IMMUNOSTAIN REQUIREMENTS SCHEDULE RELEASING OF
RESULTS
 ALK Protein (CD246) Paraffin block, H&E Cut off: After 7 working days
 bcl-2 slides, Histopath Mondays, 4pm
 calretinin Result Thursdays, 4 pm
 CAM5.2
 CD3
 CD5
 CD10
 CD15
 CD20
 CD30
 CD34
 CD45 (LCA)
 CD56 (NCAM)
 CD68
 CD99
 CD117
 CD138
 CEA
 Chromogranin
 CK (pancytokeratin
AE1/AE3)
CK 5/6
 CK7
 CK8/18
 CK19
 CK20
 CK HMW (High
Molecular Weight CK;
34BE12)
 Cyclin D1
 Desmin
 E-cadherin
 EMA (Epithelial
Membrane Antigen)
 ER (Estrogen
Receptor)
 ER/PR Assay
 ER/PR/Her2Neu
 GFAP (Glial Fibrillary
Acid Protein)
 Hercep2
 HMB45
 Hep-Par 1
 Her2Neu
 IDH1
 Inhibin
 INI-1
 Ki-67

27
 NSE (Neuron Paraffin block, H&E Cut off: After 7 working days
Specific Enolase) slides, histopath Mondays, 4pm
 Mammaglobin result. Thursdays, 4 pm
 Melanin A
 Muscle Specific
Actin (MSA)
 p40
 p53
 p63
 PAX5
 PLAP (Placenta-like
Alkaline Phosphatase
)
 PR (Progesterone
Receptor)
 Smooth Muscle
Actin (SMA)
 S-100
 Synaptophysin
 Tdt (Terminal
Deoxynucleotidyl
Transferase)
 TTF-1 (Thyroid
Transcription Factor)
 Thyroglobulin
 Toxoplasma
 Vimentin
WT-1

NOTE: Release of all cytology & histopathology results may vary, depending on the complexity of
the case.

28
Autopsy Referrals
The autopsy is the methodological and scientific examination of the body of the
deceased with the objectives of, at the very least, identifying the cause and
manner of death. The UP-PGH Department of Laboratories together with the
UP-College of Medicine Department of Pathology offers autopsy services free
of charge to all UP-PGH Charity patients.

In cases of a probable autopsy, the Resident in Charge of the case notifies the
Pathology Resident on Autopsy Duty at local 3208.

The Resident in Charge must secure the following requirements:

1. Patient’s Chart
2. Clinical Abstract
3. A short narrative on the circumstances surrounding the patient’s
demise
4. Death Certificate
5. Ancillary procedures done: lab results, imaging plates (x-ray, CT-scan,
MRI, ultrasound, etc), ECG, etc.

In addition, all attached medical devices at the time of death should be left
intact and attached to the body (ex. IJ catheters, peripheral IV lines, etc.)

Depending on the circumstances, the Resident in Charge will either proceed to

the beside to discuss the procedure with patient’s relatives, or they shall
proceed to the Pathology Residents’ Work Room at Room 7 of the Central
Laboratory.

Once the Pathology Resident has secured informed consent from the relatives,
the body of the patient shall then be transferred to the UP-College of Medicine
Morgue.

The following are the usual operating hours of the UP-College of Medicine
Morgue and cut-off time for dissection:

WEEKDAYS WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS

Operating hours 8am-5pm On-call, 8am-5pm
Cut-off time for dissection 2pm 11am

Bodies received after the cut-off time will be released the next day.

Medicolegal autopsies are subject to the availability of a forensic pathologist. If

none is available, cases shall be referred to the NBI/PNP.

29
For medicolegal autopsies, it is paramount to keep the patient’s personal
belongings, effects and possessions at the time of death with the body.

The Department releases 2 kinds of autopsy results:

 Provisional Anatomic Diagnosis (PAD) – may be available within 24
hours after dissection and is considered “unofficial” and is subject to
multiple revisions.
 Final Anatomic Diagnosis (FAD) – available after 4 months, is
considered the “official” autopsy report.

The Department does not release PADs for medicolegal cases.

The Death Certificate shall be made available within 24 hours after dissection.

Medicolegal Referrals
For medicolegal referrals, call 3208 and inform the Pathology Resident on Duty.

Keep the chart and x-ray plates, CT-scans, and other imaging plates available at
bedside during the visit by the forensic pathologist or pathology resident.

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Referrals

The PGH Department of Laboratories also performs fine needle aspiration
biopsy on all palpable masses (thyroid, lymph nodes, soft tissue masses, etc.)
for PGH In-Patients. For referrals, call 3208 and inform the Pathology Resident
on Duty or send a Surgical Pathology Consultation Form to the Surgical
Pathology Section at Room 5, Central Laboratory. The clinical service(s) should
ideally have attempted their own FNA prior to referral. Have FNAB Consent
Form signed and Medical Chart available during the procedure.

Ambulatory patients may proceed to the Pathology Research Laboratory every

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am.

30