sspec

Sending-Out Specimens to Other HA Hospital

Instructions to Clinical Staff

For tests that are not available in NTEC Chemical Pathology Laboratories but available in other HA Hospital, the concerned specimens could be sent to PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory for proper separation, aliquoting, and storage.

A list of send-out tests to other HA Hospitals and the specimen requirement and test request method are shown in Table 1. Referral test will be chargeable to the requesting clinical department with confirmation by the requesting doctor through the Generic Clinical Request System (GCRS). Authorisation from the Duty Biochemist is required for some special tests.
Send-out tests that are not available on the GCRS can be requested using hand-written laboratory request forms with prior arrangement with the Duty Biochemist.
The cost implication (PMH_NLH, QEH, QMH) will be charged to individual requesting department.
For test above HK$3,000-, approval from the Chief-of-Service of the clinical department has to be obtained by filling a Request Form for Send-Out Investigation.
Transportation to other HA Hospital will be provided by our hospital central team on weekly basis.
When the referral test result is available at electronic patient record (ePR), a comment will be issued on the send-out test report printed to the requesting location as a reminder for the requesting doctor to review the result at ePR. However, some send-out test samples will be registered by the referral laboratory and these test reports will be printed to the requesting location directly without any send-out test report/reminder issued by PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory. Requesting doctors are reminded to check and review the send-out test results via ePR and contact the Duty Biochemist for tracing the send-out test results if required.
Please contact the Duty Biochemist (via the telephone operator) for further information.

Table 1. List of send-out tests to other HA hospitals:

Test	Specimen Requirement	Test Request	Referral Hospital	Remarks
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), plasma	Collect 5-FU Stabiliser Pack test kit from Specimen Reception, 3/F, Rapid Response Laboratory, Main Clinical Block, PWH (Tel. No.: 3505 2363), please refer to 'Instruction for 'Specimen Collection and Handling Procedure for plasma 5-Fluorouracil' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details. EDTA Whole blood, 3 mL	GCRS	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
ABG Activity, dried blood spot	Blood Collection Card, please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	The dried blood spot card should be placed horizontally and allowed air-dried for at least 3 hours before putting it into plastic bag. Avoid stacking, touching other surfaces, direct sunlight or direct heating during air-dry.
Adenosine Deaminase (ADA), fluid	1. Fluid (pericardial / peritoneal / pleural fluid, brown-cap plain bottle): 2 mL 2. CSF: 0.5 mL	GCRS	NLTH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Alpha subunit, serum	Clotted blood tube, 4 mL	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Apolipoprotein B & A1, plasma	EDTA blood tube, 4 mL	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
ASM Activity, dried blood spot (Niemann-Pick A / B)	Blood Collection Card, please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	The dried blood spot card should be placed horizontally and allowed air-dried for at least 3 hours before putting it into plastic bag. Avoid stacking, touching other surfaces, direct sunlight or direct heating during air-dry.
Bile Acids, Total, serum	Non-gel clotted blood tube, 4 mL fasting sample required	GCRS	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Biotinidase Activity, dried blood spot	'Blood Collection Card', please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	The dried blood spot card should be placed horizontally and allowed air-dried for at least 3 hours before putting it into plastic bag. Avoid stacking, touching other surfaces, direct sunlight or direct heating during air-dry.
CAH profile, serum	Non-gel clotted blood tube, 5mL. See Remarks for details.	Handwritten form	QEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	1. The CAH profile test includes analysis of 11-deoxycortisol, 21-deoxycortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, and androstenedione. 2. Request by NTEC Endocrinologists only (Prior consultatoin with Chemical Pathologist is required).
Calprotectin, faecal	1. Special faecal calprotectin sampling bottle. 2. Refer to the 'Patient Instructions for Faecal Calprotectin (FCAL) Test' for details.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Request by PWH Paediatric GI team only
Chitotriosidase	Non-gel clotted blood tube, 4 mL	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Chromogranin A, serum	Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL Proton pump inhibitors should be stopped for 2 weeks prior to blood taking. Fasting sample is preferred.	Handwritten form	PMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Clobazam, serum	Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring. (i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose). Send the specimen to laboratory within 1 hour after blood collection.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Copeptin, Serum	Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4mL (For paediatric patients, minimum blood volume: 1mL)	Handwritten form	UCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Cortisol, saliva	Saliva collection tube, Collect saliva collection tube from PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory Keep in 2 - 8 °C (Patient should return the specimen to PWH within 24 Hr after specimen collection.) Refer to 'Guideline for the Collection of Saliva Specimen'.	Handwritten form	QEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Request by NTEC Endocrinologists only. Specimen will be rejected if specimen arrival to laboratory is > 7 days from specimen collection.
C-terminal Cross-linked Telopeptide of type 1 collagen (beta CTX), serum	Serum (clotted blood), 4 mL for adult patients; 2 x 2 mL clotted blood for paediatric patients, Morning fasting blood sample	Handwritten form	QEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Prior to booking with Duty Biochemist of QEH (Tel. No. 3506 2421) is required. Clinical indications: -Patients with osteoporosis at baseline, 3 to 6 months after initiation of treatment. -Samples for monitoring should be sent at least one month apart.
Cyclosporin A (CsA), whole blood, (Special send-out test arrangement on Sat/Sun/Public holiday for urgent cases only)	EDTA Whole blood, 3 mL	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	1. Booking with PWH Duty Biochemist is required. PWH Duty Biochemist will arrange the test with QMH Duty Biochemist (through QMH operator 2255 3111). 2. Indicate drug dosage, time of last dose and time point of specimen collection (C0 or C2) on laboratory request form. 3. Sample must arrive the Rapid Response Laboratory (3/F, Main Block) before 9am to ensure same day result reporting. 4. Check ePR for result. 5. For non-urgent case, it should be requested via GCRS. The test will be performed in PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory. Contact Duty Biochemist if urgent result is required during normal working hours.
Cystatin C, plasma	1. Plasma (Paediatric heparin tube, minimum blood volume: 1.3 mL) 2. Number of vials required: 1	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	1. If the requesting doctor wants to request univariate or multivariate cystatin C -based estimated GFR, please note that the test is intended for 1 to 18 years old patient. 2. Please mark the test clearly on handwritten form and indicate the height of the patient for multivariate cystatin C -based estimated GFR.
Cystine and S-sulfocysteine, plasma	Paediatric heparin, 2mL, on ice, send to laboratory immediately. See Remarks for detail.	Handwritten form	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	1. Booking with PWH Duty Biochemist is required at least 1 day prior to sample collection. 2. PWH Duty Biochemist will contact HKCH at 3513 3033 / 3513 3045 for prior arrangement of the test because immediate deproteinisation of the sample in the laboratory is required. 3. Sample must arrive the Rapid Response Laboratory (3/F, Main Block) between 09:00 and 14:30 from Monday to Friday (except for except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) to ensure specimen transportation to HKCH for special handling during normal working hours.
Delta Bilirubin, plasma	Plasma (Non-gel heparinised blood tube), 4mL Collect non-gel heparinised tube from PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory. Collect fasting sample freshly, shielded from light, and send immediately to the laboratory.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Dexamethasone, serum	Serum (clotted blood, no gel or with gel), 5 mL	Handwritten form or Add-on test to overnight dexamethasone suppression test (ONDST)	QEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Request by PWH Endocrinologists only.
Eculizumab, serum	Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring. (i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose). Send the specimen to laboratory within 1 hour after blood collection. Pembrolizumab / Keytruda must be discontinued at least 4 weeks prior to testing for eculizumab quantitation.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Flecainide, serum	Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring. (i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose).	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Folate, RBC	EDTA blood tube, 4 mL, and Clotted blood tube, 4 mL	Handwritten form	UCH (Haematology Laboratory)	-
Fractional excretion of carnitine	1. Non-gel paediatric heparinised blood tube, 1 mL and 2. Spot urine (plain bottle), 1 mL	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Specify patient preparation (e.g. fasting / non-fasting)
Free Fatty Acids, plasma	EDTA blood tube, 4 mL	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Free Light Chain, serum	Serum (clotted blood, no gel or with gel), 5 mL	GCRS	QEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Fructosamine, serum	Serum (clotted blood, no gel or with gel), 4 mL	Handwritten form	QEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
GAA Activity, dried blood spot (Pompe)	1. Blood samples should be collected preferably before meal or at least 2 hours after meal. 2. 'Blood Collection Card', please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	The dried blood spot card should be placed horizontally and allowed air-dried for at least 3 hours before putting it into plastic bag. Avoid stacking, touching other surfaces, direct sunlight or direct heating during air-dry.
GALC Activity, dried blood spot (Krabbe)	Blood Collection Card, please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	The dried blood spot card should be placed horizontally and allowed air-dried for at least 3 hours before putting it into plastic bag. Avoid stacking, touching other surfaces, direct sunlight or direct heating during air-dry.
GALT Activity, dried blood spot	'Blood Collection Card', please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	The dried blood spot card should be placed horizontally and allowed air-dried for at least 3 hours before putting it into plastic bag. Avoid stacking, touching other surfaces, direct sunlight or direct heating during air-dry.
Gastrin, serum	Clotted blood tube, 4 mL, on ice. Fasting sample is required (H2-blockers should be stopped for 72 Hr and proton pump inhibitors for 2 weeks prior to blood taking).	GCRS	QEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
GLA Activity, dried blood spot (Fabry)	1. Blood samples should be collected preferably before meal or at least 2 hours after meal. 2. 'Blood Collection Card', please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	The dried blood spot card should be placed horizontally and allowed air-dried for at least 3 hours before putting it into plastic bag. Avoid stacking, touching other surfaces, direct sunlight or direct heating during air-dry.
Globotriaosylsphingosine (Lyso-GB3), plasma	Plasma (Heparin NO gel tube), 4 mL	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Glycosaminoglycan Fractionation, urine	Spot urine (plain bottle), 10 mL	Handwritten form	PMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Homovanillic acid, spot urine	Spot urine (plain bottle), 10 mL, shielded from light: 1. The following food stuffs to be avoided at least 24 hours before and during urine collection: Alcohol, banana, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, tea, vanilla; etc 2. The following drugs to be avoided at least 48 hours before and during urine collection: Bactrim, chinese medicine, levodopa, methyldopa, sympathomimetics; etc	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Homocysteine, total, plasma	EDTA blood tube, 4 mL on ice	GCRS	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
IDUA Activity (Gaucher), dried blood spot	Blood Collection Card, please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	The dried blood spot card should be placed horizontally and allowed air-dried for at least 3 hours before putting it into plastic bag. Avoid stacking, touching other surfaces, direct sunlight or direct heating during air-dry.
Immunoglobulin heavy and light chain pair	Clotted blood tube, 4 mL	Handwritten form	QEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Investigations for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) / Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics (SUDP) 1. SIDS/SUDP IEM, blood	Plasma (Heparin NO gel tube), 4 mL, on ice, send to laboratory within 30 min.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Specimens should be sent to HKCH Pathology Central Reception, 7/F, Tower A, within 3 working days during 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on working Monday to Saturday. For enquiry, HKCH Chemical Pathology Laboratory at 3513 3033 and Genetic and Genomic Pathology Laboratory at 3513 3096.
Investigations for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) / Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics (SUDP) 2. SIDS/SUDP Gene, blood	Whole blood (EDTA blood tube), 3 mL	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Specimens should be sent to HKCH Pathology Central Reception, 7/F, Tower A, within 3 working days during 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on working Monday to Saturday. For enquiry, HKCH Chemical Pathology Laboratory at 3513 3033 and Genetic and Genomic Pathology Laboratory at 3513 3096.
Investigations for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) / Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics (SUDP) 3. SIDS/SUDP IEM, DBS	Blood Collection Card, please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Specimens should be sent to HKCH Pathology Central Reception, 7/F, Tower A, within 3 working days during 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on working Monday to Saturday. For enquiry, HKCH Chemical Pathology Laboratory at 3513 3033 and Genetic and Genomic Pathology Laboratory at 3513 3096.
Investigations for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) / Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics (SUDP) 4. SIDS/SUDP IEM, Urine	Spot urine (Plain bottle), 10 mL	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Specimens should be sent to HKCH Pathology Central Reception, 7/F, Tower A, within 3 working days during 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on working Monday to Saturday. For enquiry, HKCH Chemical Pathology Laboratory at 3513 3033 and Genetic and Genomic Pathology Laboratory at 3513 3096.
Lamotrigine, plasma	Non-gel heparinised blood tube, 4 mL Collect non-gel heparinised tube from PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory.	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Lipase, plasma	Plasma (Heparinised gel tube), 5 mL	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Lipoprotein Electrophoresis, plasma	Plasma (EDTA blood), 4 mL	GCRS	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Metabolic Screening, dried blood spot	Blood Collection Card, please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' under ward manual for details.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	The dried blood spot card should be placed horizontally and allowed air-dried for at least 3 hours before putting it into plastic bag. Avoid stacking, touching other surfaces, direct sunlight or direct heating during air-dry.
Metanephrines, free, plasma	Plasma (EDTA blood): 2 x 2 mL for adult patients; 2 x 1 mL for paediatric patients. (Collect pre-chilled EDTA blood tubes in thermoflask from PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory. Send the specimens to the laboratory on ice immediately after blood taking.) i) Patient should avoid paracetamol (for 5 days), alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise before blood collection. ii) Patient should be relaxed in supine position for at least 20 minutes before blood collection. iii) Overnight fasting sample is preferred.	Handwritten form	QEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Prior to booking with Duty Biochemist of QEH (Tel. No. 3506 2421) is required.
Mycophenoic acid total (MPA), plasma (Special send-out test arrangement on Sat/Sun/Public holiday for urgent cases only)	EDTA Whole blood, 3 mL	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	1. Booking with PWH Duty Biochemist is required. PWH Duty Biochemist will arrange the test with QMH Duty Biochemist (through QMH operator 2255 3111). 2. Indicate drug dosage and time of last dose on laboratory request form. 3. Sample must arrive the Rapid Response Laboratory (3/F, Main Block) before 9am to ensure same day result reporting. 4. Check ePR for result. 5. For non-urgent case, it should be requested via GCRS. The test will be performed in PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory. Contact Duty Biochemist if urgent result is required during normal working hours.
Neurotransmitter, CSF	CSF (plain bottle), on 4 °C ice blocks in thermo-flask. CSF volume from 0.5 - 1 mL. Refer to 'Specimen Collection and Transport Procedure for CSF Neurotransmitters' in details.	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Prior to arrangement with QMH Duty Biochemist / Pathologist (Tel. No.: 2255 3174) is needed. Send in thermo-flask with -80°C ice blocks and protected from light source.
Oligosaccharides, urine	Spot urine (plain bottle), 10 mL	Handwritten form	PMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Phytosterol, plasma (Synonyms: plant steroid, phytosterol, sitosterol)	Plasma (EDTA blood), 3 mL	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Posaconazole, serum	Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring. (i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose).	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Urgent request requires prior consultation. For enquiry, please contact HKCH Chemical Pathology Laboratory (3513 3033).
Propafenone, serum	Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring. (i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose). Specimens should only be collected after patient has been receiving propafenone for at least 3 days.	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Prostate Health Index (PHI), serum	Non-gel clotted blood tube, 4 mL Send immediately to laboratory within 1 Hr	GCRS only requested by urologist	PYNEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Pterins (Neurotransmitters), urine	Spot urine (plain bottle), 20 mL, on ice, shielded from light	Handwritten form	PMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Purine / Pyrimidine Metabolic Screen, urine	Spot urine (plain bottle), 10 mL	Handwritten form	PMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Pyruvate, blood	Please consult with duty biochemist before booking Collect pyruvate collection kit from PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory 1 mL whole blood with perchloric acid	Handwritten form	PMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Steroid Profile, urine	24 Hr urine (new plain bottle) or spot urine (plain bottle) for age < 3 months. Collect Special 24 Hr urine bottle from PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory Stop hydrocortisone replacement for at least 3 days; stop prednisolone, dexamethasone or other steroid replacement therapy for at least 1 week before sample collection.) (Collect sample before any steroid-related suppression/stimulation tests, except 3-day dexamethasone suppression test (0.5 mg Q6H) at baseline and day 3 samples)	GCRS	QEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	For spot urine steroid profile, if the patient age > 3 months, please contact QEH on-call Chemical Pathologist (3506 2421) for approval.
S-sulfocysteine Metabolic Screen, urine	Spot urine (plain bottle), 10 mL	Handwritten form	PMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	-
Tacrolimus (FK506), whole blood (Special send-out test arrangement on Sat/Sun/Public holiday for urgent cases only)	EDTA Whole blood, 3 mL	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	1. Booking with PWH Duty Biochemist is required. PWH Duty Biochemist will arrange the test with QMH Duty Biochemist (through QMH operator 2255 3111). 2. Indicate drug dosage and time of last dose on laboratory request form. 3. Sample must arrive the Rapid Response Laboratory (3/F, Main Block) before 9am to ensure same day result reporting. 4. Check ePR for result. 5. For non-urgent case, it should be requested via GCRS. The test will be performed in PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory. Contact Duty Biochemist if urgent result is required during normal working hours.
Thiopentone, plasma	Plasma (non-gel lithium heparinised blood), 3 mL (Collect the non-gel lithium heparinised tube from Chemical Pathology Laboratory. )	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Prior to arrangement with QMH Duty Biochemist / Pathologist (Tel: 2255 3174) is required. Clinical indications: Write down the date and time of last thiopentone dose on laboratory form. Collect the non-gel lithium heparinised tube from Chemical Pathology Laboratory.
Total procollagen type 1 N-Propeptide (P1NP), serum	Serum (clotted blood), 4 mL clotted blood for adult patients; 2 x 2 mL clotted blood for paediatric patients. Morning fasting blood sample, avoid hemolysis	Handwritten form	QEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Prior to booking with Duty Biochemist of QEH (Tel. No. 3506 2421) is required. Clinical indications: Patients with osteoporosis at baseline, 3 - 6 months after initiation of treatment. Samples for monitoring should be sent at least one month apart.
Transketolase, RBC	Non-gel heparinised blood tube, 4 mL Collect non-gel heparinised tube from PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory.	Handwritten form	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Consult PWH Duty Biochemist is required.
Troponin I, high sensitive, plasma	Plasma (Li heparinised gel tube), 5 mL	Handwritten form	NDH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Prior booking with PWH Duty Biochemist is required.
Uracil, plasma (DPD Phenotyping)	Plasma (Heparin NO gel tube), 3 mL, on ice, send to laboratory within 4 hours.	GCRS	QMH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	_
Vitamin A (retinol), serum	Fasting overnight (12 - 14 hours) (infants-draw prior to next feeding). Undertaken at least 8 hours post-supplementation. Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Send clotted blood sample shielded from light to the laboratory immediately.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine diphosphate), whole blood	Fasting overnight (12 - 14 hours) (infants-draw prior to next feeding). Undertaken at least 8 hours post-supplementation. EDTA whole blood, 2 mL	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Send whole blood sample shielded from light to the laboratory immediately.
Vitamin B2 (flavin adenine dinucleotide), whole blood	Fasting overnight (12 - 14 hours) (infants-draw prior to next feeding). Undertaken at least 8 hours post-supplementation. EDTA whole blood, 2 mL	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Send whole blood sample shielded from light to the laboratory immediately.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5-phosphate), whole blood	Fasting overnight (12 - 14 hours) (infants-draw prior to next feeding). Undertaken at least 8 hours post-supplementation. EDTA whole blood, 2 mL	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Send whole blood sample shielded from light to the laboratory immediately.
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), serum	Fasting overnight (12 - 14 hours) (infants-draw prior to next feeding). Undertaken at least 8 hours post-supplementation. Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL	GCRS	HKCH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	Send clotted blood sample shielded from light to the laboratory immediately.
Xanthochromia, CSF	1. CSF: 1 mL (Collected in sterile plain tube, shielded from light, send immediately to the laboratory. See Remarks for detail.) 2. Blood: 4 mL (Collected in heparin gel tube and paired blood sample for LFT to be requested via GCRS.)	Handwritten form (Booking with Duty Biochemist is required.)	QEH (Chemical Pathology Laboratory)	1. Lumbar puncture (LP) should be performed at least 12 hours after suspected bleed. 2. CSF specimen may be required for various investigations such as microbiological examination, protein and glucose estimation. - The first specimen should be placed in a fluoride tube for glucose, followed by microbiology investigation (sterile container). - To avoid contamination from red cells as a result of traumatic lumbar puncture, reserve at least the 3rd and ideally the last LP sample for CSF xanthochromia. 3. Specimen should be protected from light immediately after collection to avoid degradation of bilirubin. 4. Specimen should be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible. Do NOT transport the specimen with the pneumatic tube transport system.