General rule for collection on day of sampling:
- Li-Heparin vial, serum vial, EDTA vial, citrate vial and glucose vial
- Store at room temperature of 15-25° C
- Store in the dark (due to bilirubin degradation).
- Sputum, nasal and throat swabs, nasopharyngeal aspirate, BAL fluid, punction fluids and swabs ( eye, ear, skin lesions, pus, wound, genitourinary).
- Can be stored at room temperature for 24 hours
- Urine sediment and culture
- up to 24 h at 2-8° c
Exceptions to the rule:
- Potassium: vial must arrive at the lab within 6 hours. Should not be stored in the refrigerator (even at low temperature in cold box).
- APTT: vial stored at room temperature and should reach the lab within 3 hours. (Analysis should be performed within 4 hours of the blood sample being taken).
- Sedimentation rate: Stable for 4 hours at room temperature and 24 hours at 2 - 8°C.
- WBC differentiation: 8h at room temperature and 24h at 2-8°C.