Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Chemical Pathology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
BMTX
Test Code (Numeric Code)
5103
Laboratory Handling
Registration
See Additional Specimen Information section
Separating
See Additional Specimen Information section
Sample Stability
-
Associated Tests
Synonyms
BMTX, BMTX storage, BMT
Turnaround Time
1 day
Specimen Type
- Whole Blood
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Plain (Red Top)
Acceptable
- CPD (Yellow Top Tube)
- EDTA (Lavender Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
5
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
3
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- N/A
Acceptable
- N/A
Additional Specimen Information
Purpose
Specimen Reception is occasionally asked to store bone marrow transplant (BMT) donor specimens’ long term.
- These samples will be stored at -80°C indefinitely
- The doctor will be billed annually for storage of the specimens until LabPLUS receive a request to remove the specimens from storage
- The procedure outlined below is to be followed to ensure that Specimen Reception has comprehensive record of this storage
- This record can then be used to review the storage requirements and contact the appropriate clinician
Registration and aliquoting of the specimen
1. Register the samples using the Recipient details (from the TrakCare/patient label)
Standard tubes received for storage:
• 1x 10 mL Plain (red top)
• 1x 10 mL EDTA (purple top)
• An extra CPD tube may be received in addition to the Plain and EDTA tubes
[Note: cap colours might be different from international destinations]
Samples with insufficient identification
See section 6 of LPALSSPEPR139 Indefinite Storage for Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Donor Specimens in Additional Information section
Samples for chimerism studies
See section 5 of LPALSSPEPR139 Indefinite Storage for Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Donor Specimens in Additional Information section
2. Register the Plain tube and / or EDTA tube for BMTX
3. Register the CPD tube for LMH on a separate registration, then place the CPD tube with a copy of the request form in the LMH/HMG Specimen Box. Molecular Haematology will process the CPD sample for DNA extraction.
4. Number the specimen following standard procedures
5. Use donor details for specimen labelling criteria
Note: ONE POINT OF ID IS ACCEPTABLE FOR BMTX STORAGE SPECIMENS.
6. Place a Long-Term Storage label on the photocopied form and send with specimens for centrifuging
7. Centrifuge and aliquot specimens as required, following the guidelines for tubes to be used below.
8. If an extra CPD tube is received with the ‘Bone Marrow transplant – Donor Storage’ form, with supporting clinical information written on the form (e.g. ‘Please also send sample to Molecular Haematology’), Specimen Services staff are to process ALL tubes received for storage, (except CPD tube which is for LMH registration).
9. Once the specimen has been aliquoted place a photocopy of the form in the plastic sleeve on the outside of the Level 3 Clinical Trial Freezer 3 ADHB37678A.
10. Place the specimens in the Level 3 Clinical Trials Freezer 3 ADHB37678A, Top shelf in the box labelled:
LONG TERM STORAGE + BMTX
PLEASE PLACE SAMPLES IN THIS BOX FOR STORAGE
11. The Specimen Troubleshooter / Technical Specialist or Section Leader will complete the process for recording and storage of these.
NOTE: If CPD tube is received but no supporting clinical information is written on the request form:
- Do NOT register the CPD sample
- Make a photocopy of the request form and give both the form and CPD tube to the Specimen Troubleshooter
- The Specimen Troubleshooter will refer request form and CPD tube to Molecular Haematology staff for clarification.
NOTE: For after-hours requests, do NOT register the CPD tube.
- Place CPD tube and copy of request form into the room temperature troubleshooter box for the troubleshooter to deal with the following day.
Last updated: 24/09/2026