It is the responsibility of the shipper to properly classify, identify, pack and label shipments of specimens for transport by air or surface. Refer to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for more information.
Shipping address
Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory
Eastern Ontario Regional Genetics Program, CHEO
401 Smyth Road, Rm w3401
Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1
GeneticsLabCounsellors@cheo.on.ca
General shipping requirements
Samples must be maintained at room temperature (unless specified below) and delivered to the laboratory as quickly as possible. Appropriate handling of these specimens is dependent upon the date that the sample was collected.
- Use sterile technique to collect samples
- Do not refrigerate (unless specified below) and do not freeze. All samples must be maintained at room temperature (no extremes of temperature) and transported the same day as collection if possible
- Do not centrifuge samples
- Close screw-top tubes tightly to prevent leakage
- Label all tubes or containers appropriately (a minimum of 2 patient identifiers matching those provided on the requisition is mandatory)
- Complete ALL applicable sections on the requisition (to check if the requested test is performed in this laboratory, please check our testing services available).
- Acceptance of samples:
- Molecular Genetic Analysis: Urgent samples that cannot be obtained between Monday to Friday during regular hours of operation may be collected and stored at room temperature until delivery on Monday, with the exception of samples for FSHD.
- Cytogenetic Analysis: All samples must be delivered as soon as possible after collection, and should be received in the laboratory between Monday and Friday during regular hours of operation.
Specific shipping requirements based on specimen type
| Amniotic Fluid |
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Amount Needed: After discarding the first 1-2mL, collect approximately 20 mL of amniotic fluid in a sterile syringe
Storage Instructions: Transfer amniotic fluid to a sterile screw-top 50 mL plastic conical tube for transport
Maintain at room temperature
Additional Directions: Note the gestational age in weeks
Uniquely identify twins
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| Blood – Molecular Genetics Test |
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Amount Needed: Sample must be of sufficient volume based on test requested
Storage Instructions:
- Collect into sterile EDTA lavender-top vacutainer tube
- Do not freeze or centrifuge
- Maintain at room temperature
Additional Directions:
Sample must be received less than 3 days for fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy or myotonic dystrophy type II testing or 5 days (all other tests) from date collected
Note: Please check the test requested section to see if DNA is an acceptable sample type for the desired test.
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| Blood - Standard Chromosome Analysis/Constitutional FISH (including Microarray Follow Up) |
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Amount Needed:
- Adult: 1x 10 mL
- Infant (<1 yr of age): 1 x3 mL
Storage Instructions:
- Collect into sterile sodium heparin green-top vacutainer tube
- Maintain at room temperature
Additional Directions:
If blood specimens are not obtainable for Microarray Follow up FISH testing, please contact the laboratory
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| Blood - Microarray Analysis/Microarray Follow Up qPCR |
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Amount Needed:
- Newborns and infants: 3 mL
- Adults and children ≥2 yrs: 7-10 mL
Storage Instructions:
- Collect into sterile EDTA lavender-top vacutainer tube
- Do not freeze or centrifuge
- Maintain at room temperature
Additional Directions:
If blood specimens are not obtainable for Microarray Follow up qPCR testing, please contact the laboratory.
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| Bone Marrow Specimens/Oncology Peripheral Blood Specimens |
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Amount Needed:
- 1 mL bone marrow aspirate (first draw)
- If a bone marrow aspirate is unobtainable, analysis can be done on a 5-10 mL peripheral blood sample with 10% or greater circulating blasts.
Storage Instructions:
- Collect into sterile sodium heparin green-top vacutainer tube
- Maintain at room temperature and send to the laboratory as soon as possible.
Additional Directions:
- For bone marrow it is important that a first draw, spicule rich sample be collected.
- For blood samples, please provide white blood cells and % of circulating blasts on the requisition.
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| Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS) |
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Amount Needed:
- Approximately 20 mg budding chorionic villi (minimum 10 mg)
Storage Instructions:
- Transfer budding villi into sterile screw-top plastic container containing sterile transport media.
- Pre-prepared containers available to physicians at the Ottawa Hospital General Campus by advance request to the laboratory.
- Maintain at room temperature
Additional Directions:
- Note the gestational age in weeks
- Uniquely identify twins
- For specimens on which additional molecular testing is required, a larger sample may be required. Please contact the CHEO Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory prior to collecting sample
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| Lymph Node Biopsy/Tumour Tissue Biopsy |
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Amount Needed:
- Lymph node biopsy or solid tumour tissue
Storage Instructions:
- Collect in a new sterile container, with culture medium supplemented with 1% antibiotics.
- Pre-prepared containers available to physicians at the Ottawa Hospital General Campus by advance request to the laboratory.
- Maintain at room temperature unless transit is to be delayed (see below).
- Send to the laboratory as soon as possible.
Additional Directions:
- If transit is to be delayed for more than one day, refrigerate sample (in sterile culture media). Do not freeze.
- Do not use alcohol, formalin, distilled water or any other type of preservative.
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| Products of Conception (POC)/Intrauterine Fetal Deaths (IUFD)/Stillbirth/Skin Biopsy/Constitutional Tissue Biopsy |
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Amount Needed:
- Minimum of 3-4 mm2 biopsy by sterile procedure
Storage Instructions:
- An intact fetus will not be accepted by the Cytogenetics section of the Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory
- Products of Conception (POCs), intrauterine fetal deaths (IUFDs) and stillbirths MUST be sent to a Pathology laboratory, where they will be prepared and then automatically transferred to the CHEO Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. Completed requisitions for both the Pathology AND Genetics Diagnostic laboratories are required.
- Transfer sample into a sterile screw-top plastic container containing sterile culture media supplemented with 1% antibiotics or in sterile isotonic saline (e.g. Ringers) solution.
- Pre-prepared containers available to physicians at the Ottawa Hospital General Campus by advance request to the laboratory.
- Maintain at room temperature unless transit is to be delayed (see below).
- Send to the laboratory as soon as possible.
Additional Directions:
- Do not use alcohol, formalin, distilled water or any other type of preservative.
- If transit is to be delayed for more than one day, refrigerate sample (in sterile culture media or isotonic saline). Do not freeze.
- Completed requisitions for both the Pathology AND Genetics Diagnostic laboratories are required.
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