Blood collection information
Click here to download or view the recommended Order of draw for blood collection.
Blood cultures
How to store specimens
If a sample is not dispatched to the laboratory on the day of collection, please store as follows:
Store these specimens in the fridge
- All urines for microbiology and cytology
- Faeces specimens for microbiology
- Viral swabs
- Sputum for microbiology and cytology
Store these specimens at room temperature
- Bacterial amies swabs
- Aspirates
- Chlamydia swabs
- Chlamydia urines
Blood specimens
Blood specimens should not be stored overnight.
Oncology ancillary tests and biomarkers
Sample labelling criteria
Samples will be discarded if they do not meet our labelling criteria. A minimum of two points of identification (e.g. full name and NHI or DOB) are required on all specimens and forms to meet regulatory requirements.
Swab guides
For more information on swab collection please see our guides below:
Test guide
We have created a new, searchable guide to laboratory tests in the Otago/Southland region. Click the here to access this test guide.