Clinical Virology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, UPMC

Clinical Virology Laboratory
Division of Clinical Microbiology

AN OVERVIEW

SERVICES OFFERED

PATHOLOGY RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAM

RESEARCH IN THE UPMC CLINICAL VIROLOGY LABORATORY

Links of Interest

TRANSPORT OF BLOOD TO THE UPMC
CLINICAL VIROLOGY LABORATORY
FOR CMV PCR Test

POLICY

It is the policy of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Virology Lab to provide guidelines for the transport of blood specimens to the Virology Lab for CMV PCR. This policy does not apply to the transport of other specimens to other labs in the Medical Center.

SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS

Blood for the CMV PCR Test must be collected in a 7 or 10 ml Yellow ACD tube (Solution A or B). The tube must be filled with 5 - 7 ml to provide as many cells as possible for the assay.

FK506 (Tacrolimus) blood samples which INCLUDE the TACROLIMUS test REQUISITION may be shipped with CMV PCR samples to the same address. They will be rerouted to the appropriate lab upon arrival in Virology. DO NOT SEND FK506 (Tacrolimus) BLOOD SAMPLES TO VIROLOGY WITHOUT THE TACROLIMUS TEST REQUISITION.

COLLECTION OF BLOOD

The CMV PCR assay is performed daily from Monday through Saturday. All bloods less than 48 hours old, received by 9AM will be processed that day. Cutoff time is 9AM due to the amount of time necessary to complete the assay and report results.

Bloods MUST be less than 48 hours old at time of processing. Performing this test on bloods more than 48 hours old compromises the validity of the assay and may give false-negative results.

It is strongly advised that blood specimens NOT BE COLLECTED ON FRIDAYS unless delivery to the Virology Lab can be GUARANTEED BY 9AM SATURDAY. Bloods drawn on Fridays received after 9AM on Saturday will be rejected.

PACKAGING / SHIPPING

Label the tube with Patient's name, SS#, Date and Time sample was drawn. Complete your requisition with a request for CMV antigenemia test along with the same information used to label the tube plus the patient's birth date and diagnosis code. Be sure to ship this requisition with the tube of blood.

IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulates transport of blood by carrier. IATA regulations state that the tube of blood should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and then place inside another sealed plastic bag. Place the double-bagged specimen in a heavy cardboard or styrofoam container. DO NOT USE SOFT MAILING ENVELOPES. The package must be labeled with the appropriate labels as specified by IATA. Check with your carrier for specific instructions.

Ship blood at ROOM TEMPERATURE. When shipping in cold weather, be sure to provide adequate insulation to prevent blood from becoming cold.

Ship blood the same day it is drawn. DO NOT DRAW OR SHIP BLOODS ON FRIDAYS unless the courier guarantees delivery by 9AM on Saturday.

Use a guaranteed overnight delivery service. DO NOT USE THE U.S. POSTAL OVERNIGHT SERVICE, because they will not deliver directly to the laboratory. UPS and FedEx will guarantee, by specific request, to deliver by 8AM Monday through Friday. UPS will deliver, by specific request, by 9 AM on Saturdays. FedEx will only guarantee delivery by Noon on Saturdays and is therefore unacceptable for Saturday deliveries. Inclement weather may delay promised delivery times.

Shipping charges are the responsibility of the patient. The Virology Lab is not responsible for payment and WILL NOT accept packages that request bill receiver.

Blood samples should be shipped to:

Questions may be directed to these personnel at the phone numbers shown:

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Department of Pathology