Fibrinogen Degradation Product (FDP)

Commercially bought tubes are available in Department of Haematology for the collection of blood for this test.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Specially prepared tubes are available in Department of Chemical Pathology for the collection of blood for this test. The department also makes a beaker with ice cubes available to the phlebotomist for the transportation of such specimen.

Stool for Ova and Parasites (O&P)

Stool sample should be collected in a labeled clean screwed cap container. Place a small amount of faeces (the size of a pea) into the container (ensure no urine is in contact with the stool specimen) and take sample immediately to the laboratory.

Faecal Fat

Stool samples are collected over a three (3) or five (5) days period in a large clean container. It is recommended that the container be kept refrigerated and taken to the laboratory as soon as collection ends.

24 Hour Urine Collection

• The first morning urine voided must not be collected (on the day of collection). PASS THIS URINE IN THE TOILET; DO NOT POUR IN COLLECTION CONTAINER. Write the time of this void on the specimen container.
• Then collect all other urine voided for the 24 hours (including all the urine during the night).
• The final collection should be the first morning void of the following morning.

N.B. Depending on the test, the preservative in the collection container will differ. It is recommended that the container be refrigerated during the collection period.

Urine Culture (mid-stream) – Male

• A wide mouth screw capped sterile container is to be used
• Label the container with full name and the date that you are going to pass the urine
• Wash hands thoroughly
• Completely retract fore-skin, wipe the penis gland
• Start to urinate directly into the toilet, hold urine, then position container and collect urine sample. Do not touch the genital area with the container. Do Not fill specimen cup.
• Securely closed the container and wipe off any traces of urine that may have spilled on the outside
• Return to specimen collection area with requisition form.

Urine Culture (mid-stream) - Female

• A wide mouth screw capped sterile container is to be used
• Label the container with full name and the date that you are going to pass the urine
• Wash hands thoroughly
• Wipe vulva and perineal areas (between the anus and the vulva) well, passing tissue from front to back
• Start to urinate directly into the toilet, hold urine, then position container and collect urine sample. Do Not touch the genital area with the container. Do Not fill specimen cup.
• Securely closed the container and wipe off any traces of urine that may have spilled on the outside 
• Return to specimen collection area with requisition form.

Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)

Patients performing this examination are to arrive at the laboratory observing the fasting test criteria and taking with them seventy five (75) grams of glucose (This can be purchased at the UHWI Pharmacy). A fasting sample is drawn and the patient is then allowed to drink the glucose mixture. The patient will then be stuck every thirty (30) minutes for the next two (2) hours.

O’Sullivan Test

Patient can have a light breakfast, for example, a cup of tea and a slice of bread. When they report to the laboratory they are to take with them fifty (50) grams of glucose. (This can be purchased at the UHWI Pharmacy). Mix glucose in a glass of water and exactly one (1) hour after consumption, the blood should be drawn.

2 Hour Post Prandial (2HRPP) Test 

A meal must be eaten exactly two (2) hours before this test is performed. If patients are required to do this test only, they are allowed to eat before but are required to be at the laboratory at least thirty (30) minutes before the two hours have elapsed and informed the phlebotomist on arrival. 

Patients who are required to do both fasting and 2HRPP should observe the previous criteria for fasting tests. These patients can travel with their breakfast to eat right after the fasting sample has been drawn in an attempt to minimize the waiting period of two (2) hours for the next sample.

Noteworthy, patients are to be knowledgeable of when they are to administer their medication during this process.

Fasting Tests

You should NOT eat nor drink anything after 10pm on the evening before reporting to the laboratory for testing. 

Examples for some of these examinations include: Glucose, Cholesterol, Triglycerides