Ammonia

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

MAMM

Test Code (Numeric Code)

0436

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Please phone Labplus to give advance warning a sample is being sent.

Transport

Within Auckland City Hospital: Transport specimen on ice without delay .If sending from outside Auckland City Hospital: separate immediately and send on ice without delay.

Registration

NOTE : A separate EDTA sample NOT ON ICE is required if a FBC is also requested.

Separating

Within Auckland City Hospital: Transport specimen on ice without delay . If sending from outside Auckland City Hospital: separate immediately and send on ice without delay.

Sample Stability

30 mins at 15-25°C, 2 hours at 2-8°C, 3 days at -20°C

Synonyms

Ammonia blood/Capillary/Venous/ Arterial Blood/Unknown

Turnaround Time

3 hours

Specimen Type

• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Acceptable

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Microtainer)

Acceptable

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.500

Additional Specimen Information

Specimen Collection
Please phone Labplus to give advance warning a sample is being sent.

Transport of sample:
Within Auckland City Hospital: Transport specimen on ice without delay .
If sending from outside Auckland City Hospital: separate immediately and send on ice without delay.

Mark the form as "URGENT".
The ammonia level rises in stored plasma due to ammonia generation from precursors.
Samples from outside Auckland City Hospital: If separated samples transported on ice are analysed within 2 hours the increase in ammonia will be insignificant.
Auckland Hospital samples: if whole blood samples on ice are separated within 1 hour and analysed within 2 hours of collection, the increase will be insignificant.
A minimum 2 mL specimen is preferred. The test can be performed on a micro-sample, but sweat contamination will increase the ammonia concentration significantly, which makes result interpretation difficult. The skin must be thoroughly cleaned prior to collection of the specimen.
NOTE : A separate EDTA sample NOT ON ICE is required if a FBC is also requested.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Plasma

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Within Auckland City Hospital: Transport specimen on ice without delay .
If sending from outside Auckland City Hospital: separate immediately and send on ice without delay.

Test Method

Analyze on Cobas

Uncertainty of Measurement

8% for results around 50 umol/L 8% for results around 100 umol/L

Labplus Order Code: Alpha Code:CAMM (Capillary Blood), Numeric Code:0434
Labplus Order Code: Alpha Code:MAMM (Venous/ Arterial Blood), Numeric Code:0436
Labplus Order Code: Alpha Code:AMM (Unknown), Numeric Code:4067

Laboratory Notes

All Ammonia samples: Separate as soon as possible at 4 oC and hand deliver to c8100 operator - tell them it is an Ammonia. See below for additional information.

GLCC- please separate and send on ice

Specimen Services:

If sample received is NOT on ice:

Write 'not received on ice' on request form
S eparate sample at 4C as soon as possible
Give a photocopy of the form along with the separated sample to the c8100 operator.
Tell the c8100 operator it is an ammonia.
If both Ammonia and FBC requested and only 1 EDTA sample is received but NOT ON ICE :

Register for both Ammonia and FBC.
Write 'not received on ice' on request form
Send sample to Haematology for FBC
Give a photocopy of the form to the c8100 operator
Tell the c8100 operator the EDTA tube is sent to Haematology for FBC.
If both Ammonia and FBC requested and only 1 EDTA sample is received ON ICE :

Register for Ammonia.
Register a Query Correct Specimen for the FBC (code: QHAE)
Specimen sent on ice is NOT suitable for FBC.

If sample type not specified:

Register using the code AMM/4067 - This is Ammonia (unknown)

Automation Staff:

All Ammonia samples should be processed.
Refer to the Ammonia method SOP for guidelines to processing and reporting samples not received on ice or >2 hours old.

Contact Information