Specimen Stability Information

Blood
1-6mL LAVENDER TOP (EDTA) or GREEN TOP (HEPARIN) tube; store at ambient temperature or refrigerated.

Bone Marrow
First pull collected in LAVENDER TOP (EDTA) or GREEN TOP (HEPARIN) tube; store at ambient temperature or refrigerated.

Bone Marrow Biopsy
Submerged in RPMI media stored at 3-5C (REFRIGERATED)

Handling Instructions
Since flow cytometry is based on evaluation of living cells, specimens should be received within 48 hours of collection for optimal viability. A disclaimer statement regarding limited assay sensitivity due to specimen age may be included in reports for specimens received >72 hours from collection.
Specimens must be received in the laboratory within 7 days of collection for diagnostic or tissue samples, and 5 days for MRD testing. Specimens received beyond these criteria may be rejected upon receipt.
The above packaging, transport, and shipping guidelines generally provide acceptable sample quality. However, it is at the discretion of the Pathologist to determine whether the resulting data is unacceptable or non-diagnostic.

Rejection Criteria:

· Specimens received in the laboratory >7 days of collection for diagnostic or tissue samples, or >5 days for MRD testing

· Samples received frozen

· Specimen drawn into tubes containing anticoagulant different from specific requirements.

· Specimen drawn into tubes with separator gel, even if not spun

· Clotted (Note: Clotted sample will be disaggregated for testing. Data will be evaluated by Pathologist before sample is rejected.)

· Mislabeled or inadequately-labeled specimens

· Leaking/broken container with no specimen left inside container

· Quantity of sample not sufficient to perform test

· Severely hemolyzed specimen