Lab Service Guide

List of Tests, Frequency of Test
(FOT), Turn Around Time (TAT),

Specimen Collection Requirements
Biochemistry
SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT
Test FOT TAT
Specimen type Collecting tube Amount Special instruction and transportation
Albumin Daily 3 hours Serum Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid venous stasis sample not lipemic or
Heparinized Green hemolysed
plasma
-send to lab. Immediate
RT (maximum 1 h
Acid Daily 3 hours Serum Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis
phosphatase -Send to laboratory immediately
Prostatic Acid daily 3 hours serum Plain/gel 3 cc Avoid prostatic examination 3 days before
phosphatase the test
-send immediate to lab on ice within 20 min.
Alanine Daily 3 hours Serum Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis
Aminotransferas Heparinized Green
e (ALT) plasma
-send to lab Immediate
RT(maximum 1 h
Page 1 of 25
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
Ministry of Health
King Saud Medical City
KSMC-LABORATORY

Test FOT TAT
Aspartate Daily 3 hours Serum p Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis

Aminotransferas Heparinized Green
e (AST) plasma
-Send to lab Immediate
RT(maximum 1 h
Alkaline Daily 3 hours Serum Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis
phosphatase Heparinized Green
plasma
-Send to lab Immediate
RT(maximum 1 h
Ammonia Daily 3 hours Heparinized Green 3 cc -Store tightly capped on ice. -Centrifuge
plasma immediately
-no hemolysis
-Send to lab Immediate on ice within 20 min.
Amylase Daily 3 hours Serum Plain/gel 3 cc -No preservative
Heparinized Green
plasma
- send to lab Immediate
5 cc RT(maximum 1 h
24 hours in urine Urine container
collection or
random urine
sample
Body fluid
Page 2 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Bilirubin (Total) Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis

Heparinized Green - Keep samples away from light and
plasma sunlight and
Protect from light
send it immediately to laboratory

Test FOT TAT
Bilirubin Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis

(Direct) Heparinized Green - keep sample away from light and
plasma sunlight and
- Send it immediately to laboratory

Body fluids Daily 3 hours Body fluid Plain/gel 3 cc - Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc)
Analysis plastic max. 1 h
container
CSF Daily 3 hours CSF plain 3 cc - Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc)
Glucose plastic max. 1 h
Protein container
Chloride
LDH
Albumin
Page 3 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Calcium Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc -fasting

heparinized Green - Avoid venous stasis
plasma -no exercise
24 hours urine Urine container - Special container from laboratory

collection - Send to lab Immediate at RT maximum 1 h
Chloride Daily 3 hours Serum Plasma Plain/gel 3 cc Avoid hemolysis
Green - Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc)
max. 1 h

Test FOT TAT
Cholesterol Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc Fasting 12 h, patient should be sitting for 5
heparinized Green min. before blood drawing - Send to lab
plasma immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc) max. 1 h w,
avoid prolonged tourniquet use -Send to
lab immediate At RT max. 1 h
Creatine Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - CKMB ISOENZYMES
phosphokinase heparinized Green Automatically done on elevated (CPK)
(CK) plasma - Send to lab immediate At RT max. 1 h
CKMB Daily 3 hours plasma Green 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis
lavender -Send to lab immediate At RT max. 1 h
Page 4 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Creatinine Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis

heparinized Green -Send to lab immediate At RT (15-25o) max. 1
plasma h
24 hours urine
collection or No preservative
random urine
sample
Creatinine Daily 4 hours 24 hours urine - Draw blood sample at same time of
clearance collection collection
Gamma- Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel - Avoid hemolysis

glutamyl heparinized Green -Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc)
plasma max. 1 h

Test FOT TAT
transferase
(GGT)
Page 5 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Glucose Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - For fasting blood glucose patient
heparinized Green should be fasting 8 - 10 hours
plasma - Serum or plasma should be
separated from cellular constituents
24 hours in urine Urine container immediately if possible, and no later than 1
collection or hour after collection of blood sample
random urine
sample
Body fluid
Plastic tube
G- 6PD Weekly 7 days Whole blood lavender 3 cc Avoid hemolysis
Glucose 6- -Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc)
phosphate max. 1 h
dehydrogenase
Glucose Daily 4 hours Serum Plain/gel 3 cc Collect 6 samples
tolerance test 1-Fasting sample 8-10 hr fasting
(GTT) Give 75 g or 100 g of anhydrous glucose then
collect
1 ,2 , 3 hrs sample, Urine specimen must
accompany with each specimen *patient
should not have undercurrent infection
or trauma, not on drugs like
glucocorticoids ,diuretics
Test FOT TAT SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT
Page 6 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
No exercise or smoking before or during the

test, no eating or drinking anything except
OGTT and water during test
* Patient should be on normal diet 3 days
before the test (unrestricted).
(HbA1C) Daily 3 hours EDTA plasma lavender 3 cc - Should be routinely monitored every 3
Glycated month in all insulin patients(HbA1C) -
hemoglobin Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc)
max. 1 h
HDL Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc)
cholesterol (High heparinized plasma Green max. 1 h
Density
lipoprotein )
Immunoglobulin Daily 3 hours Serum plasma Plain/gel 3 cc -Specimen without lipemia or hemolysis -
IgG Green Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc)
IgM max. 1 h
IgA
Inorganic Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - fasting

phosphorous heparinized plasma Green - Avoid hemolysis and venous stasis -
separate from RBCs within 1 hr after
collection
24hours urine
Special - Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc -
collection o
container 25 c) max. 1 h
Page 7 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY

Test FOT TAT
- Special container from the lab.

Lactic acid Daily 3 hours Plasma Gray 3 cc -Fasting ,
Na fluoride -complete bed rest
K oxalate -Separation of plasma to be performed
within 15 min.
Avoid hemolysis
- Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc)
Lipase Daily 4 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc)
heparinized Green max. 1 h
plasma
LDL-cholesterol Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc -fasting 12 16 hrs

(low density heparinized Green - non fasting samples accepted for
lipoprotein) plasma direct measures of LDL.Cholesterol ,if it is
not part of lipid profile
- By calculation, please order
cholesterol and triglycerides also.
-patient should be sitting 5 min before draw
-avoid prolonged tourniquet
- Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc -
o
25 c) max. 1 h
Page 8 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY

Test FOT TAT
LDH Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis

(Lactate heparinized plasma Green - Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc -
dehydrogenase ) o
25 c) max. 1 h
Body fluid
CSF plain plain
Magnesium Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc -Fasting

heparinized Green -Collect in metal free container
plasma -Separate RBCs immediately
- Avoid hemolysis or venous stasis.
24hours urine - Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc -
o
25 c) max. 1 h
collection
Osmolality Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - Calculated
heparinized plasma Green
24hours urine
collection or
random fresh urine
Page 9 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Total iron Daily 3 hours Serum Plain/gel 3 cc - avoid hemolysis

binding capacity - Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc -
o
25 c) max. 1 h
(TIBC)

Test FOT TAT
Iron Daily 3 hours Serum Plain/gel 3 cc -Morning specimen

-draw blood before other specimen that
require anticoagulant tubes
-Reject hemolysed sample
max. 1 h
Page 10 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Potassium Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc -Separate from RBCs immediately

heparinized Green - Avoid hemolysis
plasma -Plasma: Lithium heparin is preferred
-do not use plasma from blood that has been
24hours urine stored in ice water
collection or -do not use ammonium heparin with ISE
random sample
o
25 c) max. 1 h

Test FOT TAT
Sodium Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc -Centrifuge immediately -Avoid hemolysis

heparinized Green - Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc)
plasma 24hours
max. 1 h
urine collection
or random
sample
Page 11 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Total protein in Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - Samples not lipemic or hemolysed - Send
blood heparinized Green to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc) max.
plasma
1h
Total protein in Daily 4 hours 24hours urine

urine collection
Total protein in Daily 4 hours Body fluid sample

body fluid
Total protein in Daily 4 hours CSF sample

(CSF)
triglycerides daily 3 Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc -fasting for 12 16 hrs is a must -EDTA
hours Heparinized Green plasma, not heparin plasma , as heparin
plasma may cause artificial reduction in TG by
activating lipase
max. 1 h

Test FOT TAT
Page 12 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Urea Daily 3 hours Serum Heparinized Plain/gel 3 cc - Send to lab immediate At RT (15oc - 25oc)
plasma Green max. 1 h
Urine electrolytes daily 3 hours Urine Urine container 3 cc or 24 hrs During collection of 24 hrs specimen , it
collection must be kept at 4o c in refrigerator
max. 1 h
Urine protein Daily 3 hours Urine Urine container 3 cc random -Random : first morning specimen is preferred
Microalbumin Or 24 hrs -During collection of 24 hrs specimen , it
collection must be kept at 4o c in refrigerator
max. 1 h
-
Urine chemistry Daily 3 hours Urine Urine container Random or

24 hrs
Glucose collection
Urea
Creatinine
Uric acid
Calcium

Test FOT TAT
Page 13 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Amylase
Osmolality
Uric acid Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc -Separate immediately
heparinized plasma Green - Avoid hemolysis
o
24hours urine 25 c) max. 1 h
collection Urine container
HAEMATOLOGY
GENERAL HAEMATOLOGY
Specimen Type Collecting tube Amount Special instruction and transportation
Test FOT T.A.T
Complete Blood Count Daily 8 hours Peripheral Blood Lavender K2- EDTA 4-5 ml - Avoid hemolysis & clotting
(CBC) sample - Send immediate to the lab at RT (15-
25 oC) max. 2 hrs
Page 14 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Routine Peripheral Daily 24 hours Peripheral Blood Lavender K2- EDTA 4-5 ml - Avoid hemolysis & clotting
blood smear sample - Send immediate to the lab at RT (15-
25 oC) max. 2 hrs
Erythrocyte Daily 8 hours Trisodium-citrate ESR specific tube Up to the - Avoid hemolysis & clotting
sedimentation rate Blood sample (black cap tube) tube mark - Send to laboratory immediately
(ESR)
Reticulocytic count Routine 8 hours K2- EDTA Blood lavender 2 ml - do sampling before blood
time sample transfusion
- 7-10 days after start of treatment to
detect response
- Avoid hemolysis & clotting
Sickling test Routine 8 hours K2- EDTA Blood lavender 2 ml - Avoid hemolysis & clotting
time sample - Send immediate to the lab at RT (15-
o
25 C) max. 2 hrs

Test FOT T.A.T
Osmotic fragility As 48 hours Lithium-heparin Green 2 ml - Avoid hemolysis & clotting

requeste blood sample - Send to laboratory immediately
d
Page 15 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Bone marrow aspiration As 48 hours Unstained smear 8-10 slides - Send to laboratory immediately
and touch imprint requeste slides Any remnant in the
d needle put in EDTA
tube and send to
the lab
Trephine biopsy As 5 days Bone marrow - Send to laboratory immediately

examination requested biopsy specimen in
70% formalin
container
Malaria parasites (MP) Routine 8 hours Peripheral Blood lavender 2 ml -do sample at peak of fever
and filaria time sample - Avoid hemolysis & clotting
- Send to laboratory immediately
Body fluids cell count As 6 hours Pleural plain 4-5 ml - Send to laboratory immediately
requested Pericardial
Peritoneal synovial

Test FOT T.A.T
CSF cell count As 6 hours CSF plain > 1 ml - Send to laboratory immediately
requested
Page 16 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
CSF for Malignant cells As 48 hours CSF plain > 1 ml Send to laboratory immediately
requested
Flow Cytometry for As 48 hours Peripheral blood lavender 2 ml Avoid hemolysis & clotting
Leukaemia and markers requested Send to laboratory immediately
(in BM and Blood) Bone marrow
2 ml
Hb-Electrophoresis As 72 hrs Peripheral blood lavender 2 ml - do sampling before blood transfusion
requested -Send to laboratory immediately
COAGULATION TESTS
Test FOT T.A.T Specimen Collection Requirements
Specimen type Collecting tube amount Special instruction and transportation
Prothrombin Routine 8 hours Trisodium-citrate blue Complete to the -sampling is done 4-5 days after start of oral
time (PT) and time Blood sample mark on the tube anticoagulant intake for therapy monitoring
INR
(International - Avoid hemolysis & clotting
normalized
ratio )
maximum 2 hrs
Page 17 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Partial Routine 8 hours Trisodium-citrate blue Complete to the -sampling is done 6 hrs after the IV bolus of
thromboplastin time Blood sample mark on the tube unfractionated heparin (UFH) or after every
Time (PTT) dose change .if its given twice daily ,sample
for testing should be taken at the midpoint
between injection.- Avoid hemolysis &
clotting
- Send to laboratory immediately maximum 2

hrs
Fibrinogen assay Routine 8 hours Trisodium-citrate blue Complete to the - Avoid hemolysis& clotting
time Blood sample mark on the tube

D-Dimer assay Routine 8 hours Trisodium-citrate blue Complete to the - Avoid hemolysis& clotting
time Blood sample mark on the tube
Page 18 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Coagulation As 8 hours Trisodium-citrate blue Complete to the Before administration of any therapeutic
factors assay requeste Blood sample mark on the tube agent
d
- Avoid hemolysis& clotting
Mixing studies Daily 8 hours Peripheral blood Blue Complete to the - Send to laboratory immediately
mark on the tube
Special Coagulation
Protein S Weekly 7 Days Peripheral blood Blue Complete to the - Send to laboratory immediately
mark on the tube
Protein C Weekly 7 Days Peripheral blood Blue Complete to the - Send to laboratory immediately
mark on the tube
Anti thrombin Weekly 7 Days Peripheral blood Blue Complete to the - Send to laboratory immediately
III mark on the tube

Lupus Weekly 7 Days Peripheral blood Blue Complete to the - Send to laboratory immediately
Anticoagulant mark on the tube
Page 19 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Anti Factor X Weekly 7 Days Peripheral blood Blue Complete to the - Send to laboratory immediately
mark on the tube
Virology& Serology Section

Tests FOT TAT Specimen Collection Requirements
Specimen Type Collecting Tube Volume Special Instruction And

Transportation
ASO, Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml Immediate Transport to

laboratory at RT
CRP Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
RF Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5ml
RPR(VDRL) Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
TPHA Twice / week 4 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml

Transportation
Page 20 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Syphilis Ab weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5ml
Toxo IgG Weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
Toxo IgM Weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5ml
Brucella Abortus Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
Brucella Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5ml

Melitensis
Brucella IgG weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5ml
Brucella IgM weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5ml
Widal Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
C3, C4 As requested 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
Paul Bunnel test Daily 24 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
Pregnancy test Daily 3 hours Serum Plain / gel 5ml

Qualitative Or Urine Container
Daily 3 hours Urine 4 ml
SLE Latex Daily 3 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
Page 21 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY

Transportation
Cold agglutinin As requested 48 hours 2 samples 1 plain 1 5 ml Immediately at 37 oC

1 Serum Lavender 5 ml
1 blood
Rubella IgG, IgM Weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
Sectional instruction
CMV IgG, IgM Weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
EBV IgG, IgM Weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
HAV-Total Weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
HAV IgM Weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
HBsAg Screening Twice / Week 5days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
HBsAg As needed 12 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml

Confirmatory
HB c IgM Weekly 12 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
HB c Total Weekly 12 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
Page 22 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
HB e Ag Weekly 12 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
HB e Ab Weekly 12 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml

Transportation
HB s Ab Weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
HCV Ab Screening Twice / week 5 days Serum Plain / gel 5ml
HCV Ab Plain / gel

Confirmatory As Needed 12 days Serum 5ml
HIV 1,2 Screening Twice / Week 5 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml
Page 23 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Parasitology
Test FOT T.A.T Specimen Collecting container Precaution
Complete urine Routine time 3 hours Urine sample Urine container - Send to laboratory immediately
analysis
-avoid leakage
Faecal analysis & Routine time 3 hours Stool sample Stool container - Send to laboratory immediately
occult blood in stool Routine time 3 hours Stool sample Stool container - Send to laboratory immediately
Page 24 of 25
Ministry of Health
KSMC-LABORATORY
Page 25 of 25

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List of Tests, Frequency of Test

(FOT), Turn Around Time (TAT),

SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT

Aspartate Daily 3 hours Serum p Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis

Bilirubin (Total) Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis

SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT

Bilirubin Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis

- Send it immediately to laboratory

Calcium Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc -fasting

24 hours urine Urine container - Special container from laboratory

SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT

Creatinine Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis

Gamma- Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel - Avoid hemolysis

SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT

Test FOT TAT SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT

Specimen type Collecting tube Amount Special instruction and transportation

No exercise or smoking before or during the

Inorganic Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - fasting

SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT

- Special container from the lab.

LDL-cholesterol Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc -fasting 12 16 hrs

SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT

LDH Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc - Avoid hemolysis

Magnesium Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc -Fasting

Total iron Daily 3 hours Serum Plain/gel 3 cc - avoid hemolysis

SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT

Iron Daily 3 hours Serum Plain/gel 3 cc -Morning specimen

Potassium Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc -Separate from RBCs immediately

SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT

Sodium Daily 3 hours Serum or Plain/gel 3 cc -Centrifuge immediately -Avoid hemolysis

Total protein in Daily 4 hours 24hours urine

Total protein in Daily 4 hours Body fluid sample

Total protein in Daily 4 hours CSF sample

SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT

Urine chemistry Daily 3 hours Urine Urine container Random or

SPECIMEN COLLECTION REQUIREMENT

Specimen Collection Requirements

Osmotic fragility As 48 hours Lithium-heparin Green 2 ml - Avoid hemolysis & clotting

Trephine biopsy As 5 days Bone marrow - Send to laboratory immediately

Specimen Collection Requirements

- Send to laboratory immediately maximum 2

Test FOT T.A.T Specimen Collection Requirements

- Send to laboratory immediately

Test FOT T.A.T Specimen Collection Requirements

Virology& Serology Section

Specimen Type Collecting Tube Volume Special Instruction And

ASO, Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml Immediate Transport to

RF Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5ml

RPR(VDRL) Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml

TPHA Twice / week 4 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml

Tests FOT TAT Specimen Collection Requirements

Specimen Type Collecting Tube Volume Special Instruction And

Syphilis Ab weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5ml

Toxo IgG Weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5 ml

Toxo IgM Weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5ml

Brucella Abortus Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml

Brucella Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5ml

Brucella IgG weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5ml

Brucella IgM weekly 10 days Serum Plain / gel 5ml

Widal Daily 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml

C3, C4 As requested 48 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml

Paul Bunnel test Daily 24 hours Serum Plain / gel 5 ml

Pregnancy test Daily 3 hours Serum Plain / gel 5ml

Tests FOT TAT Specimen Collection Requirements