​Sample collection and submission

For specific testing information please visit the eLab handbook website. For after hours or emergencies, contact the Medical Microbiologist On-Call at 604-661-7033.

Please note the following requirements:

All samples submitted to BCCDC Public Health Laboratory (PHL) must adhere to provincial and federal regulations and laws regarding packaging and transport including Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR) and the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) where applicable. Please consult the Transport Canada website for more information.

It is illegal to mail dangerous goods (which include infectious substances) via Canada Post.

It is the responsibility of the shipper of the sample to determine whether packages for transport meet the above requirements. 

For all submissions                        

• Ensure that requested tests are offered at the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory. Please consult the eLab handbook website for additional testing information.
• Use a BCCDC PHL requisition, BC Ministry of Health Standard Outpatient Requisition, or an approved alternative referral lab paperwork (e.g. reference laboratory interfaced testing).
• If sending samples directly to BCCDC Public Health Laboratory, use of BCCDC PHL requisitions is highly recommended.
  
• Please use the most recent version of all laboratory requisitions which can be found on corresponding test page(s) on the eLab handbook website or on the BCCDC website.
  
• Complete requisition legibly.  Include all mandatory information.
1. Patient name (surname and given name)
2. Date of Birth (DOB)
3. Personal Health Number (PHN)
4. Submitter reference number
5. Collection date and time of sample(s)
6. Referring practitioner (healthcare professional) authorized to order laboratory tests according to legislation. Note that clinics are not considered ordering providers.
• Submit a separate completed requisition and a labeled sample container for each test requested unless otherwise specified (e.g. serology tests).
• Label the sample container clearly with two identifiers (examples include patient name (surname and given name) and date of birth, PHN, submitter reference number. Ensure these two identifiers match the completed requisition.  Sample collection date and time should also be written on the sample
• Ensure sample containers are tightly closed to prevent leakage during transport. Leaking samples may not be processed.
• Put the labeled sample inside the sealable biohazard bag and then seal the bag. If the sample is liquid, place sufficient absorbent material in the bag to fully absorb the liquid should the container break or leak. Put the completed requisition in the outer pocket of the biohazard bag. Do not allow the completed requisition to come in contact with the labeled sample container.
• Confirm temperature and other sample handling requirements prior to/during transport. Please visit the corresponding test page(s) on the eLab handbook website for more information.
• A dedicated labeled sample is required for PCR (molecular) testing. Manipulation of samples prior to sending for PCR (molecular) testing may result in false negative or positive PCR (molecular) results.
  

Unacceptable submissions – general

• Unlabelled samples
• Leaking samples
• Less than two patient identifiers (Complete (first and last) patient name, and/or one of DOB, or PHN) on any submitted sample
• Identifiers on submitted sample(s) do not match the information on the completed requisition
• Samples accompanied by undecipherable, blank or no requisitions
• Inconsistent or contradictory information between the requisition(s) and sample(s)
• Sample type collected in wrong sample container
• Outdated or expired requisitions
  

Failure to do any of the following, is a breach of PHSA Laboratories policies and procedures.

• Submit the correct requisition with all mandatory information provided
• Use the correct collection container
• Ship safely
  

Sample packing instructions

It is the responsibility of the shipper of the sample to determine whether packages for transport meet the TDGR and IATA DGR where applicable.

To ensure the safety of our staff, leaking or improperly packaged samples, may not be processed.​

1. Use the container (primary container) provided in the collection kit or as indicated in this guide. For collection and labelling instructions for specific tests, please visit the corresponding test page(s) on the eLab handbook website. 
   
2. Ensure that the primary sample container is securely closed to prevent leakage. Place the securely sealed primary container into plastic 'biohazard bag' (secondary container). Wrap the primary container or place enough absorbent material (this is not supplied with collection kits, e.g. paper towel, clean gauze or tissue paper) in the bag to totally absorb sample should the primary container leak or break. Only one sample per biohazard bag should be included, even if the samples come from the same patient (an exception is blood samples collected in standard vacutainer containers, which can be packaged as multiple samples per bag). Cushioning should be provided to prevent breakage.
   
3. If breakage occurs, this will likely contaminate all other samples grouped together in one biohazard bag. Ensure that the patient’s name and additional identifier is on each container to allow matching to its corresponding requisition.
   
4. Fill out the correct BCCDC Public Health Laboratory requisition and individual sections for instructions and insert it into the side pouch of the biohazard bag. Do not place it inside with the sample (in case of leaks). Fold the requisition so that the front is visible and place it in the pouch so that the requisition can be read.​​
   

Transportation of samples

By courier or authorized persons:

Hours of operation (BCCDC Public Health Laboratory Specimen Receiving)

​0700 – 2300 Mon-Fri (excluding Stat holidays)

0800 - 1800 Sat/Sun/Stat holidays​

Lab sample drop-off instructions

BCCDC PHL

STAT/emergency samples