Hospital Queen Elizabeth

Bone Marrow Trephine (BMT)

Specimen / Volume: Trephine >1.5 cm. 10% Formalin specimen ratio 1:10

Container: Closed Container

TAT: 4 – 6 Weeks

Referral Location: Hospital Queen Elizabeth

Note: Specimen must be immediately placed into 10% neutral buffered formalin

CD4 / CD8 Enumeration

Specimen / Volume: Fresh Venous Blood, 2.5 – 3.0 mL

Container: EDTA Tube

TAT: 7 Days

Referral Location: Hospital Queen Elizabeth

Note: Please send the sampel on Monday and Tuesday only (to facilitate timely arrival at the referral lab) 

Factor Assay (Factor VIII & IX)

Specimen / Volume: Fresh Venous Blood, 2.7 mL (5 Tubes Total)

Container: 3.2% Trisodium Citrate Tube

TAT: 14 Days

Referral Location: Hospital Queen Elizabeth

Note 1: By appointment only. Please call HQE ext:7329. Request form must have a complete and relevant clinical summary

Note 2: Sample must be sent immediately or within 30 minutes of collection

Special Form: BLEEDING DISORDER REQUEST FORM

Factor Inhibitor Assay (Factor VIII & IX)

Specimen / Volume: Fresh Venous Blood, 2.7 mL (5 Tubes Total)

Container: 3.2% Trisodium Citrate Tube

TAT: 14 Days

Referral Location: Hospital Queen Elizabeth

Note 1: By appointment only. Please call HQE ext:7329. Request form must have a complete and relevant clinical summary

Note 2: Sample must be sent immediately or within 30 minutes of collection

Special Form: BLEEDING DISORDER REQUEST FORM

Von Willebrand Factor Antigen & Activity

Specimen / Volume: Fresh Venous Blood, 2.7 mL (5 Tubes Total)

Container: 3.2% Trisodium Citrate Tube

TAT: 14 Days

Referral Location: Hospital Queen Elizabeth

Note 1: By appointment only. Please call HQE ext:7329. Request form must have a complete and relevant clinical summary

Note 2: Sample must be sent immediately or within 30 minutes of collection

Special Form: BLEEDING DISORDER REQUEST FORM

Haemoglobin Analysis for Thalassemia / Haemoglobinopathy

Specimen / Volume: Fresh Venous Blood, 2.5 - 3.0 mL

Container: EDTA Tube

TAT: 4 Weeks

Referral Location: Hospital Queen Elizabeth

Note:

1. Haemoglobin analysis is NOT indicated as first-line test for investigation of anaemia or hypochromic microcytic anaemia in adults, except in cases with hepatosplenomegaly to suggest thalassemia intermedia. 

2. Please exclude iron deficiency first either biochemically or by trial of iron therapy in younger patients.

3. In accordance to National screening policy, Hb electrophoresis will only be performed in cases with MCV <80 fl or MCH <27. Hence, rare milder cases of silent or MCH or MCV normal Thalassemia will not be detected.

4. Post transfusion sample will not give accurate result. Kindly send Hb analysis 3 months post-transfusion.

5. Neonatal less than 1 year of age has physiologically high HbF. Kindly discuss with pathologist if Hb analysis is required.

6. Please attach recent FBC and Iron Study result. For cascade screening, please write the name, IC no. and attach the Hb analysis/molecular results of the index case. 

7. All Hb analysis request must be registered in iThal system.

Special Form: HB ANALYSIS

Leukaemia Immunophenotyping Analysis

Specimen / Volume: Bone Marrow Aspirate, 2.5 - 3.0 mL or Fresh Venous Blood, 2.5 - 3.0 mL

Container: EDTA Tube (Total 2 Tubes)

TAT: 3 Days

Referral Location: Hospital Queen Elizabeth

Note 1: Discussion with hematopathologist is required

Note 2: Sample must be sent immediately after collection

Lupus Anticoagulant

Specimen / Volume: Fresh Venous Blood, 2.7 mL x5 tubes

Container: 3.2% Trisodium Citrate Tube

TAT: 14 Days

Referral Location: Hospital Queen Elizabeth

Note:

1. To send immediately or within 30 minutes after blood collection.

2. Must have complete and relevant clinical summary. 

3. Patient on anticoagulant should be discontinued as below:

   1. Warfarin 2 weeks

   2. Un-fractionated heparin (UFH) 24 hours

   3. Low molecular weight heparin (e.g; clexane) 12-24 hours

   4. Direct oral anticoagulant (e.g; dabigatran, apixaban) 72 hours

4. Testing should be delayed until at least 6 weeks after the acute event / 6 weeks post partum.

5.  Lupus anticoagulant testing during pregnancy does not exclude or confirm a diagnosis of APS. 

6.  Anti cardiolipin and anti B2GP1 antibodies MUST be sent together during FIRST REQUEST. Collect blood in plain tube and use a separate PER-PAT 301 form for these antibody tests.

Special Form: GUIDANCE FOR LUPUS ANTICOAGULANT TESTING 

THROMBOPHILIA REQUEST FORM

BCR-ABL Quantitative Assay

Specimen / Volume: Fresh Venous Blood, (Total 4 tubes)

Container: EDTA Tube

TAT: 7 Days

Referral Location: Hospital Queen Elizabeth

Note 1: Monday only.

Note 2: Sample not more than 24 hours from collection time.

Note 3: It is MANDATORY to fill in the form with relevant clinical history and drug history (i.e. when was the diagnosis, current condition of the patient and any changes in medication, event or compliance from previous sampling).

Platelet Aggregation Test

Specimen / Volume: Fresh Venous Blood, To fill up to the marked level on the tube

Container: 3.2% Trisodium Citrate Tube x4  & EDTA Tube x1

TAT: 21 Days

Referral Location: Hospital Queen Elizabeth. This test requires the patient to be present at HQE for blood sampling.

Note 1: The test can only be requested by a Clinical Haematologist or Paediatric Haemato-oncologist.

Note 2: The appointment date can be taken from HQE Haematology Laboratory Ext: 7329 (to consult a haematopathologist). 

DNA Analysis for Alpha Thalassemia, Beta Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy

Specimen / Volume: Fresh Venous Blood, 2.5 - 3.0 mL

Container: EDTA Tube

TAT: 120 Days

Referral Location: HQE (central collection point prior being directed to either HKL or IMR for the actual test)

Notes: 

1. Recent FBC (within 3 months) and a copy of Hb analysis report must be attached.

2. All paediatrics (≤ 12 y.o.) sample must be accompanied by both parent’s FBC and Hb analysis results.

3. Consent form must be filled and signed by the patient or parents/guardian if the patient is less than 18 years old.

4. The request and consent form must be signed by medical officer.

5. Please refer additional requirement for cascade screening written in the form.

6. Special Form: DNA ANALYSIS FORM