If the doctor has requested you hand in a sample, please note the following:
- Please ensure ANY sample you hand in clearly displays your name, date of birth, NHS number, & date of sample. Any problem with these identifiers may lead the lab to reject the sample. Reception may be able to provide you with a printed label.
- Please ensure the tops are tightly closed as any leaking samples will be rejected and pose an infection risk.
- Please ensure your sample is placed in the clear plastic (biohazard) bags with the zip-lock sealed.
- Please bring your sample no later than 3.30 pm so as to catch the last sample collection time.
- Your sample must be accompanied with the sample request form
Urine
- Urine for ACR (protein test): this goes into a yellow or white topped bottle for urine samples. Please check with Reception id you are unsure
- Urine for suspected infection: this MUST go into a red topped bottle that contains boric acid preservative.
- No urine should go into a pot other than the sterile ones provided by the Surgery. Should this happen, the sample will be rejected.
Faeces/Stool
- This must be placed into a blue top sample bottle.
- Once you have tightly sealed the lid, it may be a good idea to wrap some tissue around the sample.
Swabs
- If you have been asked to self-swab – please follow instructions given to you by the clinician. Take care not to contaminate the swab. Make sure the swab is labelled with an accompanying form.
Sputum
- This must be paced in a sterile white topped specimen tub. No other container will be accepted. Be careful not to contaminate your sample & ensure it is labelled with the accompanying form.
Nails
- This must be paced in a sterile white topped specimen tub. No other container will be accepted. Be careful not to contaminate your sample & ensure it is labelled with the accompanying form.