Specimen Collection and Handling

Submit only one of the following:

HAIR:

1. Send at least 10-12 hairs in a screw-capped, sterile container.

2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth or medical record number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials

3. SPECIMEN SOURCE IS REQUIRED ON REQUEST FORM FOR PROCESSING.

NAILS:

1. Wipe the nail with 70% alcohol.

2. Scrape the outer surface of the nail and discard.

3. Collect scraping from the deeper, diseased areas of the nail, and place in a screw-capped, sterile container.

4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth or medical record number, date and time of collection, collector’s initial.

5. SPECIMEN SOURCE IS REQUIRED ON REQUEST FORM FOR PROCESSING.

SKIN SCRAPINGS:

1. Clean skin with 70% alcohol.

2. Scrape the advancing edge of the lesion with a sterile glass slide into a screw-capped, sterile container.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth or medical record number, date and time of collection, collector’s initial.

4. SPECIMEN SOURCE IS REQUIRED ON REQUEST FORM FOR PROCESSING.

To Process:

1. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

2. Send at ambient temperature.