Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Chemical Pathology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
TOB
Test Code (Numeric Code)
0981
Laboratory Handling
Phlebotomy
See below Pre-test requirements.
Transport
Samples >24hrs, please separate, freeze and transport on ice.
Registration
Specimen Service staff: Please notify Automation staff if a sample arrives out of hours.
Laboratory
Automation staff:
- If there will be a delay due to maintenance or some other circumstance, have the requesting clinician consult with our pathologist on call & then arrange to send to Middlemore laboratory
- Organise an urgent taxi trip and ensure that sample goes within 30mins
- Phone the on duty operator at Middlemore Biochemistry to look out for its arrival.
Sample Stability
3 days at 4-8°C, 1 month at -20°C
Turnaround Time
3 hours
To prevent possible delays requesting clinician please phone 22118 if sample sent to the laboratory out of hours.
Specimen Type
- Plasma
- Serum
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
Acceptable
- Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
- Plain (Red Top)
- SST II (Gold Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
5
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
3.5
No of Samples Required
1
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
Acceptable
- Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
- Plain (Red Top)
- SST II (Gold Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
0.5
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
0.5
Pre-testing Requirements
Sample collection times
Random Concentration for Area Under the Curve (AUC) monitoring:
- Preferred
- 2-8 hours after the end of infusion
- Record time the blood was taken
Trough
- For neonates or if AUC monitoring not available
- 30 minutes before next dose
Additional Specimen Information
0.5 mL Paediatric Microtainer PST Blood (Preferred)
0.5 mL Paediatric Microtainer Heparin Blood
0.5 mL Paediatric Microtainer Plain Blood
0.5 mL Paediatric Microtainer SST Blood
Last updated: 18/09/2026