Regulating agencies (OSHA, Department of Transportation) require specimen packaging to include the following:

1. A watertight primary receptacle
2. A secondary receptacle which is watertight and contains a biohazard label
3. Absorbent material placed between the primary and secondary receptacles
4. Sturdy outside packaging of corrugated cardboard, wood, metal, or plastic

Via Vitalant Courier:

1. Verify that the specimen tubes are properly sealed and not leaking.
2. Place the specimen tube(s) in plastic, ziplock biohazard bags and seal. Place specimens for each patient in separate biohazard bags. DO NOT mix together tubes from different patients!
3. Place the requisition form in the outside pocket of the biohazard bag.
4. Mark the temperature section of the bag as frozen or room temperature.
5. Store at the appropriate temperature until collection by the Vitalant driver.

Via Overnight Courier:

1. Verify that the specimen tubes are properly sealed and not leaking.
2. Place absorbent material in a plastic, ziplock biohazard bag.
3. Place the specimen tube(s) in the plastic, ziplock biohazard bag and seal. Enclose completed requisition form in outside pocket of the biohazard bag.
4. Place in appropriate mailing container.
5. Prepare different mailing containers for each temperature requirement.
6. If the sample is to be sent frozen, include approximately 5 lbs. (about 2.2 kg) or more of dry ice.
7. Prepare pre-printed airbill for each package to be shipped.
8. Label the mailing container appropriately.
9. Contact the overnight courier for further instructions.

The Vitalant Coagulation laboratory will accept extracted nucleic acid as an acceptable specimen type providing that the client’s laboratory is a CLIA-certified laboratory or a laboratory meeting equivalent requirements as determined by the CAP and/or the CMS.

The following tests are available on call:

*For Stat testing after 4 p.m. weekdays or on weekends or holidays, you must consult the on-call physician at 412-209-7040 or 1-800-310-9558. There will be a surcharge to bring a technologist in to perform testing on call.

Certain coagulation tests have critical limits that may constitute the need for therapeutic intervention by a physician. The physician and/or facility will be provided with the critical information by phone as soon as possible. The established critical limits are the following:

Euglobulin lysis time < 15 minutes
Isolated coagulation factor level <0.10 U/ml or ≥5.00 U/ml
Fibrinogen < 60 mg/dL OR < 70 mg/dL (reagent lot dependent) or ≥1500mg/dL
Platelet count < 15 x 103 / cmm
Hematocrit < 20 %
PT > 50.0 seconds
INR ≥5.0
APTT > 240 seconds
Heparin platelet antibody = Positive
Heparin PF4 platelet antibody = Positive
Fondaparinux (Arixtra) level > 1.9 mg/dL
Von Willebrand antigen ≤ 0.15 U/ml

Vitalant Coagulation Laboratory will schedule regular specimen collection at your facility. For hospital clients located outside of our region, we offer overnight delivery service through UPS.

Vitalant couriers receive training in the following areas at the time of hire and annually thereafter.

• Strict confidentiality of all patient information included with the specimens submitted for testing.
• OSHA and safety training in the proper handling of potentially biohazardous specimens.
• Correct handling of specimens including the appropriate storage during transport in insulated containers of wet ice, dry ice or ambient temperature.

Vitalant couriers are also made aware of the special handling required for time-sensitive testing such as platelet aggregations and closure times. They are trained to report all unusual incidents to the processing staff at the Coagulation Laboratory. There are process improvement procedures in place to report the mishandling of specimens and to determine the appropriate corrective action.

The Vitalant Coagulation Laboratories offer professional consultation to assist with the interpretation of test results. Services are provided in the areas of coagulation treatment, genetic testing, outpatient transfusions, therapeutic apheresis, platelet immunology and immunohematology. There is no charge for these consultative services.

For consultation services, call Client Services at 1-800-967-9672, 412-209-7406 or 412-209-7329.

Irina Chibisov, M.D. - coagulation, therapeutic apheresis
Andrea Cortese Hassett, Ph.D. – coagulation
Darrell Triulzi, M.D. - immunohematology
Angela Verdoni, Ph.D., DABMGG – genetic testing, coagulation

For technical/laboratory inquiries, please call 412-209-7109.

 

Clients may request additional testing on previously submitted samples by contacting Client Services at 412-209-7109 or 1-800-967-9672. After it has been determined that a sufficient volume of the appropriate sample type is available and age of sample is appropriate for the test requested, testing will be performed. In compliance with regulatory requirements, written verification (via fax or encrypted email) must be provided by the requesting laboratory. See add-on authorization form.

Tests may be canceled and credit given if the request for cancellation is received prior to test setup. Client Services should be contacted at 412-209-7109 or 1-800-967-9672 for test cancellations. After test setup, no requests for cancellation will be honored. In these cases, testing will proceed, results will be reported and the client will be billed.

Coagulation Laboratory customers receive an itemized invoice twice each month, with date of service, patient name, service code, CPT code and test charge. Payment is due within 30 days of the date of the invoice. To ensure proper credit to your account, please write your account number on all check payments. Please make all checks payable to Vitalant.

Should you feel any portion of the invoice is in error, please notify us within 30 days to prevent delays in adjustments to your payments. Adjustments will be reflected in the next invoice.

Our Accounts Receivable and Billing representatives are available to answer any questions you may have at 412-209-7316. Inquiries may also be made by email to accountsreceivable@vitalant.org.

Patient related questions can be directed to 412-209-7456.

Do you have a concern about the Laboratory's operation? Call toll-free 1-877-267-2323 extension 63531 to file a complaint.

View the CLIA Complaints document.

Q. My APCr (Activated Protein C Resistance) result has a comment “Suggest DNA Test.” What test should I order?
A. You should order the Factor V Leiden Mutation.

Q. How should I interpret the molecular test result as related to hypercoagulability?
A. A positive (heterozygous or homozygous) Factor V Leiden Mutation result increases the likelihood of hypercoagulability.

Q. How long will it take to get my results?
A. The turnaround time for test results depends on the frequency with which testing is performed as well as the method for result delivery to the client/physician. Please check the test menu for availability.

Q. Do I need to do anything to prepare for this blood test? E.g., fasting, etc.
A. No, there is no special preparation for any of our blood tests. However it should be noted that if you're taking any aspirin or aspirin-related medications, heparin or coumadin/warfarin, these will affect the interpretation of your results.