HIV Specimen Requirements

1.      Serum or plasma is acceptable for testing.  A separate tube should be collected for HIV testing.  If a microspecimen collection is necessary, the required specimen volume is 2 FULL MICROTAINERS.

2.      All specimens must be accompanied by the proper requisition.  The following information must be completed on the appropriate HIV Requisition prior to receiving the specimen in the LIS:

a.     Patient Name or Coded Identifier

b.     Date of Birth or Age

c.     Date and Time of Specimen Collection

d.     Initial of the person performing specimen collection

e.     HIV-1 Test Ordered  -  HIV-1 Antibody EIA (HIV) or HIV-1 Antibody EIA with

        Preliminary Results (HIVP)

f.      Signature of physician or qualified person providing pre-test counseling and date (exception: 

        not required for newborn HIVP testing)

g.    Orders for diagnostic testing (HIVP, HIV) should be accompanied by a LACNY HIV 

       requisition.  All orders for prognostic testing (HIV PCR testing etc.) may be submitted on a

       Laboratory Alliance requisition.

 

3.      All specimens submitted for HIV testing should be labeled with the following:

a. Patient.s first and last name
b. Date and time of collection
c. Initials, tech code or personnel # of the person obtaining the specimen d. Hospital identification number or social security number