Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Chemical Pathology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
PSTO
Test Code (Numeric Code)
5100
Laboratory Handling
Phlebotomy
See additional information below
Registration
See additional information below
Separating
See additional information below
Sample Stability
-
Synonyms
Indefinite Storage
Turnaround Time
3 hours
TAT not applicable
Specimen Type
- N/A
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- N/A
Acceptable
- N/A
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- N/A
Acceptable
- N/A
Additional Specimen Information
Specimen Collection
Long Term Storage (Permanent Storage).
Storage of specimens indefinitely at the request of a doctor at the time of collection. These samples will be stored at -80 o C indefinitely. The doctor will be billed annually for storage of the specimens until LabPLUS receive a request to remove the specimens from storage.
1. Purpose
Specimen Reception is occasionally asked to store specimens long term. These specimens may be required for forensic purposes at a later date or for follow-up testing as part of an investigation. For long term storage we maybe requested to store at -80 o C or -20 o C.
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.
2. Principle
The purpose of the "PSTO" test code in Specimen Services is to charge an annual storage fee when specimens are stored at LabPlus for a Long term storage. The storage fee that is charged annually is a set fee and is usually adjusted yearly.
The fee is charged annually and is initially charged at specimen receipt. When on-going storage occurs at subsequent years then the storage fee is charged again.
Last updated: 30/03/2026