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Clinical Chemistry Testing |
Tips for Successful Specimen Collection |
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Notices -
NOTICE: Expiring Blood Collection Tubes
Type of Tube: 6mL Red Top Serum Tube (Silicone Coated)
Lot #: 03511968
Expiration Date: 05/31/2022
Specimens collected in expired tubes will be rejected!
What to do next:
• Review your stock and discard expired tubes.
• To order new supplies, fax order to (512) 776-7672
For questions call: 1-888-963-7111 ext. 6236.
To see previous notices, please visit http://www.dshs.texas.gov/lab/cc_notices.shtm
Posted : May 16, 2022
NOTICE: Expiring Blood Collection Tubes
Type of Tube: 6mL Red Top Serum Tube (Silicone Coated)
Lot #: 03511968
Expiration Date: 05/31/2022
Specimens collected in expired tubes will be rejected!
What to do next:
• Review your stock and discard expired tubes.
• To order new supplies, fax order to (512) 776-7672
For questions call: 1-888-963-7111 ext. 6236.
To see previous notices, please visit http://www.dshs.texas.gov/lab/cc_notices.shtm
Posted : May 02, 2022
Tips to Prevent Clotted Specimens
The number one
reason for rejection of whole blood specimens is clotting. Clotting can happen during
or immediately after specimen collection due to insufficient mixing and slow
draw time.
Tips for preventing
clotted specimens:
- Invert the blood collection tube 8-10 times to ensure the
blood is in contact with the anticoagulant inside of the collection tube.
- Collect the required volume within 2 minutes.
- Occasionally tap the capillary tube
while collecting the blood specimen.
- Avoid squeezing, milking, or scraping the finger during
fingerstick collection.
- Avoid overfilling blood collection tubes. They have a
specific amount of anticoagulant for the volume of blood as noted on the
collection tube.
- For good blood flow, keep the patient’s arm below the
level of the patient’s heart.
For
questions, contact ClinicalChemistry@dshs.texas.gov
Posted : April 01, 2022
National Provider Identifier (NPI) Number Requirement
For Specimen Submission
Submitters are required to provide the 10-digit National Provider Identifier (NPI) number for the Ordering Physician on all specimen submissions forms when including the Ordering Physician’s Name. Testing may be delayed if the required NPI numbers are not provided on the submission forms.
The Ordering Physician’s NPI number field is located in the Ordering Physician Information section. This section is found at the top right corner on all specimen submission forms as shown in the example below. Please note that the Ordering Physician’s NPI number must be an Individual NPI and not an Organization NPI.
For Questions, please email Lab Reporting at LabInfo@dshs.texas.gov, or call
(512) 776-7578 or 1-888-963-7111, Ext. 7578.
Posted : March 01, 2022
NOTICE: EXPIRING BLOOD COLLECTION TUBES
Type of Tube: 5 mL Gold Top SST Serum Separation Tube (Silicone Coated)
Lot #: 1097822
Expiration Date: 03/31/2022
Specimens collected in expired tubes will be rejected!
What to do next:
• Review your stock, discard any expired tubes
• To order new supplies, fax order to (512) 776-7672
For questions call: 1-888-963-7111 ext. 6236.
To see previous notices, please visit http://www.dshs.texas.gov/lab/cc_notices.shtm
Posted : March 01, 2022
*****Effective Immediately*****
Limited Supply of Vacutainer (K2EDTA) Lavender Top
Blood Collection Tubes
for
Hemoglobin and Lead Testing
Due to the nationwide demand and shortage of Becton Dickinson (BD) Vacutainer (K2EDTA) lavender top blood collection tubes, there may be a delay in the availability of the BD 2 mL Vacutainer (K2EDTA) lavender top blood collection tube that is normally readily available to our submitters for hemoglobin and blood lead testing.
At this time, orders received for the 2 mL Vacutainer (K2EDTA) lavender top blood collection tube may be limited until further notice. To ensure adequate supply, requests will be reviewed and adjusted, based on specimen submission. Adjusted requests will not be back-filled; therefore, a new request will need to be submitted.
For order information call or email:
1-888-963-7111 ext. 7661 or 512-776-7661
ContainerPrepGroup@dshs.texas.gov
For questions, contact ClinicalChemistry@dshs.texas.gov
Posted : February 04, 2022
DSHS Laboratory Closure Due to Inclement Weather
Inclement weather in Austin and other parts of Texas may cause a delay of testing at the Department of State Health Services Laboratory.
- The DSHS Laboratory will be closed on Friday February 4, 2022, due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions in the Austin area.
- Please continue to ship all samples per regular guidelines.
- Courier services are running as road conditions allow; however, expect delays due to the weather. Check your courier for local service alerts.
- All samples will be processed as soon as possible after resumption of normal operations. However, samples received outside of their acceptability window will be unsatisfactory for testing.
- The laboratory will work at maximum capacity to resolve any specimen backlog.
The DSHS Austin Laboratory appreciates the dedication and commitment of healthcare providers to keep Texans healthy.
Contact DSHS Laboratory:
Email: labinfo@dshs.texas.gov
Email Microbiology: Lab.Microbiology@dshs.texas.gov
Email Newborn Screening: NewbornScreeningLab@dshs.texas.gov
Email Clinical Chemistry: http://www.dshs.texas.gov/lab/cc_notices.shtm