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Pathology handbook

Blood Culture for Bartonella

Test Code: 
BC
Tube Colour: 
Peds Plus: Pink Plastic Cap
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
Blood Cultures
Collection Requirements: 
1-3 ml in Peds Plus bottle
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
BC
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Microbiology
Please contact Medical Microbiologist before collection. Indicate suspicion of Bartonella on request form.

Blood Culture for Mycobacterium / MAC

Test Code: 
BC
Tube Colour: 
Myco/F Lytic bottle: white plastic cap
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
Blood Cultures
Collection Requirements: 
1-5ml in Myco/F Lytic Bottle
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily
Requires own tube?: 
No
Internal Spec Code: 
BC
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Microbiology

Blood Culture for Yeasts and Fungi

Test Code: 
BC
Tube Colour: 
Myco/F Lytic bottle: white plastic cap
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
Blood Cultures
Collection Requirements: 
1-5ml in Myco/F Lytic bottle in addition to 8-10 ml blood in each culture bottle (Anaerobic & Aerobic)
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
BC
Fee: 
Laboratory: 
Microbiology
Indicate suspicion of yeasts / fungi on request form. Do not place Bradma label over barcode on bottles

Blood Cultures(Fastidious Organisms)

Test Code: 
BC
Tube Colour: 
Aerobic: grey plastic cap. Anaerobic: Purple plastic cap
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
Blood Cultures
Collection Requirements: 
8-10 ml blood in each culture bottle (Anaerobic & Aerobic)
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Microbiology
Please contact Medical Microbiologist before collection. Indicate suspicion of fastidious organisms an request longer incubation on request form.

Blood Gases

Test Code: 
ABG, VBG
Tube Colour: 
Blood Gas Syringe
Department: 
Biochemistry
Pseudonyms: 
Arterial Blood gas; Venous blood gas
Collection Requirements: 
Arterial or venous collection. Radiometer Blood Gas syringe. * Arterial Gases being sent to lab or not analysed within 15min should be on ice.
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily
Requires own tube?: 
No

Blood Group Only

Test Code: 
Grp
Tube Colour: 
Pink
Department: 
Haematology
Pseudonyms: 
Blood Group (ABO & Rh(D) group)
Collection Requirements: 
6mL EDTA tube (Blood Bank)
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
EB
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Blood Transfusion
1. SPECIMENS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR PRETRANSFUSION TESTING UNLESS: i) the specimen and request slip conform to the Blood Transfusion protocols of the relevent site. If Bradma labels are used they must be signed and dated to confirm the patient ID has been checked. ii) The specimen collection declaration is completed by the person collecting and labelling the specimen. Please label the request slip with the ward and clinical details. 2. IF URGENT, TELEPHONE THE LABORATORY. 3. Use "Transfusion Test/ Product Request Form".

Bone Marrow (Aspirate and Trephine)

Test Code: 
BMAT
Department: 
Haematology
Pseudonyms: 
Bone Marrow Biopsy (Aspirate and Trephine)
Collection Requirements: 
By arrangement, contact Haem. Registrar (93427402)
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
By arrangement
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Haematology
By arrangement, contact Haem. Registrar (93427402) Verbal report on aspirate on the same day if significant.

Bone Marrow Aspirate

Test Code: 
Asp
Department: 
Haematology
Pseudonyms: 
Bone Marrow (Aspirate)
Collection Requirements: 
By arrangement, contact Haem. Registrar (93427402)
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
By arrangement
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Haematology
By arrangement, contact Haem. Registrar (93427402) Verbal report on aspirate on the same day if significant.

Bone Marrow Culture

Test Code: 
BC
Tube Colour: 
Peds Plus: Pink Plastic Cap
Aerobic: Grey Plastic Cap
Anaerobic: Purple Plastic Cap
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
Collection Requirements: 
Inoculate directly into blood culture bottle(s) OR in sterile container.
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
BM
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Microbiology
Use Peds bottle if specimen is less than 8 mls, otherwise use aerobic and anaerobic bottles when volume is greater than 8 mls.

Bone Marrow Transplant Biochemistry panel

Test Code: 
BMX
Tube Colour: 
Light Green
Department: 
Biochemistry
Availability: 
Daily
Requires own tube?: 
No
Panel includes UE, LFT, G, LD, UA

Bone Metabolism Test

Test Code: 
Ca, PO4, Mg, AP
Department: 
Biochemistry
Pseudonyms: 
Collection Requirements: 
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily
Requires own tube?: 
No
Internal Spec Code: 
Fee: 

Bone Specific Alkaline Phosphatase

Test Code: 
BALP
Tube Colour: 
Gold
Department: 
Biochemistry
Pseudonyms: 
Bone ALP, Ostase
Collection Requirements: 
8.5 ml serum tube
Reference Range: 
male/female >18y: 5.5 - 24.6 ug/L
Availability: 
Fortnightly
Requires own tube?: 
No
If collected outside of Melbourne Health Pathology, please send frozen serum aliquot.

Bone Turnover Markers

Test Code: 
P1NP, CTX
Tube Colour: 
Pink / Purple
Department: 
Biochemistry
Pseudonyms: 
P1NP, CTX
Collection Requirements: 
6-9ml EDTA
Availability: 
Weekly
Requires own tube?: 
No

Bordetella pertussis IgA Serology

Test Code: 
BPS
Tube Colour: 
Gold
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
B.Pertussis IgA EIA_x000D__x000D_
Collection Requirements: 
8.5 ml Serum Tube: Arrange with Medical Microbiologist before specimen is taken as specimens obtained are generally for virological investigations._x000D__x000D_
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily (Mon - Fri)
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
S
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Reference Laboratory: 
Royal Children's Hospital
Laboratory: 
Microbiology

Bordetella pertussis IgG and IgA

Test Code: 
BPS
Tube Colour: 
Gold
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
B.Pertussis IgG and IgA EIA_x000D__x000D_
Collection Requirements: 
8.5 ml Serum Tube: Arrange with Medical Microbiologist before specimen is taken as specimens obtained are generally for virological investigations._x000D__x000D_
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily (Mon - Fri)
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
S
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Reference Laboratory: 
Royal Children's Hospital
Laboratory: 
Microbiology

Bordetella pertussis IgG Serology

Test Code: 
BPG
Tube Colour: 
Gold
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
B.Pertussis IgA EIA_x000D__x000D_
Collection Requirements: 
8.5 ml Serum Tube: Arrange with Medical Microbiologist before specimen is taken as specimens obtained are generally for virological investigations._x000D__x000D_
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily (Mon - Fri)
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
S
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Reference Laboratory: 
Royal Children's Hospital
Laboratory: 
Microbiology

Bordetella pertussis PCR

Test Code: 
RPBNAT
Tube Colour: 
Yellow top universal
Copan E-swab - Liquid Amies (pink Lid)
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
B.pertussis PCR_x000D__x000D_
Collection Requirements: 
NPA or Per Nasal Swab, Respiratory samples in sterile container
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily (Mon - Fri)
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
Sw / Asp / BAL / BW
Fee: 
Laboratory: 
Microbiology

BRAF

Test Code: 
BRAF
Tube Colour: 
Tissue Blocks / Unstained Slides
Department: 
Molecular
Pseudonyms: 
BRAF Mutation Detection
Collection Requirements: 
Paraffin Embedded Tissues Blocks or Unstained Slides
Reference Range: 
Refer to report
Availability: 
Turn around time: Routine testing - 10 business days
Requires own tube?: 
No
Internal Spec Code: 
Block or Slides
Fee: 
Contact reference laboratory directly for current fee.
Reference Laboratory: 
Molecular PathologyPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Laboratory: 
Molecular Pathology
Testing performed at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Sections are prepared by Anatomical Pathology, RMH For establishment of BRAF V600 mutation status in tumour tissue prior to dabrafenib or vemurafenib therapy in a patient with unresectable stage III or stage IV metastatic cutaneous melanoma, requested by or on behalf of the treating specialist

BRCA1 Gene Analysis by MLPA

Test Code: 
BR1m
Tube Colour: 
Lavender
Department: 
Molecular
Pseudonyms: 
MLPA for BRCA1, Breast cancer type 1 susceptibility gene
Collection Requirements: 
9 ml blood EDTA tube | Request slip must be signed by collector
Reference Range: 
Refer to report
Availability: 
Turn around time:_x000D__x000D_ Routine testing - 6 weeks URGENT testing - 12 business days
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
Ew
Fee: 
Contact reference laboratory directly for current fee
Reference Laboratory: 
Molecular PathologyPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Laboratory: 
Molecular Pathology
Molecular Pathology, RMH MUST be notified by phone (03 9342 7991) for all URGENT requests
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BRCA1 Gene Predictive Analysis

Test Code: 
BR1P
Tube Colour: 
Lavender
Department: 
Molecular
Pseudonyms: 
Breast cancer type 1 susceptibility gene, predictive
Collection Requirements: 
Two indepedently collected EDTA tubes, greater than 15 minutes apart | Sample 1 - 9mL Blood EDTA tube | Sample 2 - 9mL Blood EDTA tube | Request slip must be signed by collector
Reference Range: 
Refer to report
Availability: 
Turn around time:_x000D__x000D_ Routine testing - 6 weeks URGENT testing - 12 business days
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
Ew
Fee: 
Contact reference laboratory directly for current fee
Reference Laboratory: 
Molecular PathologyPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Laboratory: 
Molecular Pathology
1. Two indepedently collected EDTA tubes, greater than 15 minutes apart are required 2. Only Family Cancer Clinic requests will be processed 3. Contact Molecular Pathology, RMH (ph 9342 7991) if result is required URGENTLY

BRCA2 Gene Analysis by MLPA

Test Code: 
BR2m
Tube Colour: 
Lavender
Department: 
Molecular
Pseudonyms: 
MLPA for BRCA2, Breast cancer type 2 susceptibility gene
Collection Requirements: 
9 ml blood EDTA tube | Request slip must be signed by collector
Reference Range: 
Refer to report
Availability: 
Turn around time:_x000D__x000D_ Routine testing - 6 weeks URGENT testing - 12 business days
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
Ew
Fee: 
Contact reference laboratory directly for current fee
Reference Laboratory: 
Molecular PathologyPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Laboratory: 
Molecular Pathology
Molecular Pathology, RMH MUST be notified by phone (03 9342 7991) for all URGENT requests
Download 1
(DOC,25 KB)
Contact us if you need an accessible version of a download.

BRCA2 Gene Predictive Analysis

Test Code: 
BR2P
Tube Colour: 
Lavender
Department: 
Molecular
Pseudonyms: 
Breast cancer type 2 susceptibility gene, predictive
Collection Requirements: 
Two indepedently collected EDTA tubes, greater than 15 minutes apart | Sample 1 - 9mL Blood EDTA tube | Sample 2 - 9mL Blood EDTA tube | Request slip must be signed by collector
Reference Range: 
Refer to report
Availability: 
Turn around time:_x000D__x000D_ Routine testing - 6 weeks URGENT testing - 12 business days
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
Ew
Fee: 
Contact reference laboratory directly for current fee
Reference Laboratory: 
Molecular PathologyPeter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Laboratory: 
Molecular Pathology
1. Two indepedently collected EDTA tubes, greater than 15 minutes apart are required 2. Only Family Cancer Clinic requests will be processed 3. Contact Molecular Pathology, RMH (ph 9342 7991) if result is required URGENTLY

Bromide

Test Code: 
UNCB
Tube Colour: 
Light Green
Urine(rand)
Department: 
Biochemistry
Pseudonyms: 
Collection Requirements: 
4.5mL Lithium Heparin or Urine sample
Reference Range: 
MF <0.15 mmol/L
Availability: 
Fortnightly
Requires own tube?: 
No
Internal Spec Code: 
Fee: 
Reference Laboratory: 
Australian Clinical Laboratories1868 Dandenong RoadClayton, Vic 3168tel 03 9538 6777fax 03 8540 5555

Bronch Specimen MC&S

Test Code: 
BW
Tube Colour: 
Yellow top universal
Department: 
Microbiology
Pseudonyms: 
Bronchial Washings/_x000D_Respiratory Washings/BAL
Collection Requirements: 
Bronchial Washings 20-30 mls neat in sterile universal container
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Daily
Requires own tube?: 
No
Internal Spec Code: 
BW
Fee: 
Laboratory: 
Microbiology

Bronchial Washings Cytology

Test Code: 
Cyto
Tube Colour: 
Yelllow Top Universal
Department: 
Cytology
Pseudonyms: 
Bronchial washings, Bronchioalveolar Lavage (BAL), Tracheal Trap washings, Respiratory washings
Collection Requirements: 
Min.10 ml to Max. 50ml. For optimal results >10ml is required.
Reference Range: 
Availability: 
Weekdays
Requires own tube?: 
Yes
Internal Spec Code: 
Fee: 
Medicare rebatable
Laboratory: 
Cytology
As these samples are often shared between departments, Cytology recommends that samples are split at time of collection. For optimal results at least 10ml of sample is required.