Laboratory Samples

Laboratory Samples

• Types of laboratory samples: Blood, Non-Blood (Urine, Stool, Swabs, Semen, Sputum, Cytological, Histological)
• Phlebotomist should know the importance of common lab tests

Urine Samples

• Types of urine samples:
  • Random (Drugs of Abuse, Microalbumin)
  • First Morning (Pregnancy Tests)
  • Mid Stream Urine (MSU) (Urine Cultures)
  • Clean Catch Urine (Urine Cultures)
  • 24 hr Urine Collections (Protein, Creatinine, Calcium, Uric Acid, Creatinine Clearance)
  • Paediatric Urines (Urine collection bags)

Stool Samples

• Types of stool samples:
  • Stool for Occult Blood (Random)
  • Stool for Ova, Cysts and Parasites (Random, Sometimes x3)
  • Stool for M/C/S (Stool Cultures)

Swabs

• Collected by Physicians, RNs
• Purpose: To look for Pathogenic or disease causing microorganisms in a particular body site
• Materials Required: Specimen cup, spatula/spoon, Plastic wrap, disposable paper/ Styrofoam tray
• Prompt Transport, Room Temperature, Charcoal
• Types: Wound, Vaginal, Ulcer, Rectal, Throat

Semen Samples

• Not just a sperm count
• Collection Criteria:
  • Abstinence 4-5 days prior
  • No help from partner (vaginal, oral and anal secretions affect test)
  • No use of gels, creams or lubricants
  • Sample must be kept at RT
  • All sample must be collected
  • Sample must be brought to lab within 45 mins after collection
• A Semen Sample can be satisfactorily brought to the lab within 2 hours

Cytological Samples

• Study of Cells (Cyto)
• Most Common Cytological Test: PAP SMEAR
• Samples collected by Physician
• Special Stains used to highlight normal vs abnormal cells
• Rejection Criteria: Broken slides, smears not properly preserved

Histological Samples

• Study of Tissues (Histo)
• Samples: Biopsies, Ectomies or Excisions
• Samples preserved using Paraffin wax and cut into ultra-thin slices
• Special Stains
• Key aspect of handling is prompt preservation (15-20 times Formal Saline)
• Rejection Criteria: Samples not properly preserved, or samples preserved late

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)

• Rapidly growing branch of Lab Diagnostics
• Easy, Fast results
• Done at patients location
• Small volume of blood
• Important applications in diagnosing conditions such as Heart Attacks, Strokes, Diabetes, Renal Failure, Anemia
• APOCT is supposed to provide faster results with the main emphasis being to prevent loss of life or loss of quality of life