Note to clinicians/phlebotomists:
Troponin I (TnI) is only available in a non-gel heparin tube (dark green top). This differs from Troponin T (TnT).
In general, TnI is not superior to troponin TnT for detection of acute coronary syndrome, however in cases of suspected false positives (e.g. macrotroponin or assay interference) a TnI may be useful.
Specimen Services staff
Do not register for Troponin I if it is requested from the following locations:
- Critical Wards (AED,APU, CED, CVICU, DCC, Foetal medicine, NICU, Oncology: Adult Day Stay, Oncology: Adult Acute Admission, Oncology: Ward64, PICU, WAU, Theatres: L4, L8, L9 and SSH)
- Awanui
- Mercy/ Ascot
- Or afterhours locations such as Whitecross, etc.
- Register for Troponin T (TROP) only for these locations, and send specimen to Automation for analysis.
For all other NON-URGENT requests (including non-urgent Clinical Trial samples) that are not from any of the above locations, register for Troponin I (TRI) and send to North Shore Hospital on the next available courier. If the next available courier is not until the following working day, FREEZE the sample before sending.
For all other URGENT requests (or if unsure), please notify Automation staff for further assistance.
Automation Staff
- If the request is urgent and NOT a Clinical Trial sample, call the on call pathologist, they will determine whether the sample needs to be sent via taxi to NSH or via the next courier.
- Urgent Clinical Trial samples are sent immediately by taxi (no on call pathologist approval is required).
Clinical Trial - Clinical Trials Troponin I - ALSS
Urgent Troponin I Requests (Form labelled as urgent)
- Dispatch immediately via taxi (no on-call pathologist approval is required)
Non-urgent Troponin I Requests
- Register for Troponin I (TRI) and send to North Shore Hospital on the next available courier. If the next available courier is not until the following working day, FREEZE the sample before sending.
Clinical trial team will check daily at 14:30 for any Clinical Trial Troponin I samples that have missed the afternoon courier. These samples will be dispatched by Clinical Trials Team.
Clinical Trial Study Coordinators
Troponin I Requests Requiring Urgent Results
- Label request form as URGENT - samples will be dispatched by taxi
Non-Urgent Troponin I Requests
Samples will be dispatched to NSH on the next available courier (Weekdays 9am and 2pm)
NSH Sendaway
- Sendaway to North Shore Hospital - Heparin or Plain, 4°C
- Paediatric minium 0.4 mL Heparin (Microtainer)
- Place two points of ID on aliquot tube. Place AHSND in copy to code when registering
- Urgent requests at 4°C
- Non-urgent (next working day) at -20°C (FROZEN)