HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
Welcome to American Scientific Laboratory. We pride ourselves on our customer service and test accuracy, and feel like we have a niche in the marketplace: large enough to provide the services of a national laboratory, but small enough to give an individual, tailored customer experience
Why choose American Scientific Laboratory?
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Our team is your team: Unlike the large, national laboratories, we provide the personal attention that you deserve. We understand how important your laboratory is to your practice, and whether or not it is a test change or resolving a technical glitch, our response time is measured in minutes not days.
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Every client counts:
Our clients, their practice and business matter to us. Your needs and business realities are ours, and we make sure to address concerns and issues – because every one of our clients matters, no matter how big or small.
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Quality:
We use the same, multi-million dollar equipment as the larger, national competitors. But our focus on quality and test accuracy is unparalleled, and assures you that your patients are receiving the best, quickest and most accurate results possible.
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Focus on what you care about:
We focus on what we do best – routine clinical laboratory tests. We do not have expensive research and development departments, clinical trials, assay research, etc. And because we don’t have to support these auxiliary, costly services, we are able to provide personal customer service and pass the savings on to you and your patients.
If you demand test accuracy and deserve the personal attention usually reserved for large physician groups, trust your practice and
business to American Scientific Laboratory. We are on your team.
Specimen Collection
Accurate test results can only be obtained if the specimen is collected properly, and the correct specimen collection device is used. Please follow the below guidelines:
Collection Tubes:
Plain Red Top Tube
This tube is for serum yield only. Allow blood clot in an upright position for thirty (30) minutes at room temperature. Centrifuge within one (1) hour after drawing, and transfer serum to another plain red tube. Label with the patient’s name, and leave at room temperature until transported to the laboratory.
Red Top Tube – SST (Serum Separator Tube) Cor-vac
Immediately after collecting blood in the tube, gently invert the tube five (5) times. This mixes the blood with the clot activator to accelerate clotting. Allow blood to clot in upright position for fifteen (15) minutes at room temperature. Do not remove the stopper. Centrifuge within one hour of drawing at full speed (2500 rpm) for 10 minutes. Do NOT remove the serum from the tube. Label with the patient’s name, and refrigerate until transported to the laboratory. For the best results on panels, including CO2 test, send spun down, unopened SST tubes.
Lavender Top Tube
This contains EDTA anticoagulant, designed for most hematological procedures. Allow the tube to fill until vacuum is exhausted (critical so that the proper ratio of anticoagulant to blood is achieved). Gently invert ten (10) times to mix. Label with the patient’s name, and leave at room temperature until transported to the laboratory. Specimens processed after 24 hours may affect results.
Grey Top Tube
This has oxalate as an anticoagulant and fluoride as a preservative. Immediately after tube is filled with blood, invert at least six
(6) times to facilitate mixing and prevent coagulation. Label with the patient’s name and refrigerate.
Blue Top Tube
This tube contains a citrate solution which is necessary for Prothromin time testing. It is recommended that one other tube of blood be drawn prior to the blue top tube. If no other test is ordered, draw a second blue tube and discard it. The ratio of blood to anticoagulant is critical for valid coagulation results. Allow the tube to full until vacuum is exhausted (about 2/3 full). Gently invert ten times to mix. Centrifuge at 1000 rpm for ten (10) minutes, and transfer plasma to a plastic transfer tube and cap. Label with patient’s name and refrigerate (2-8 Celsius) until transported to the laboratory. Specimens processed after 4 hours may affect results.
Other Tubes
If you need additional information on other tubes or have questions, don’t hesitate to Contact Us.
Urine Specimen:
Random Urine for Routine Urinalysis or Culture
Collect freshly voided specimen in a cup midstream clean catch collection. Transfer to urine tube for analysis. For urine culture, use sterile cup. Test must be completed within twenty-four (24) hours after collection. Label with patient there’s name and refrigerate until transported to the laboratory.
Microbiology Specimen:
Culturette
Prior to using, please check the expiration date on the package. For all cultures requiring the use of swab:
- Peel open transport paper and discard plug from the tube.
- Collect sample and return to tube.
- Hold the cap end down.
- Push cup to bring swab into contact with moistened pledget.
- Label with patient’s name, and leave at room temperature until transported to the laboratory.
Anaerobic Transport
This is for cultures where pathogenic anaerobic is suspected, such as wound or abscess. Cultures collected in the anaerobic system will support growth of aerobic organisms, so an additional culterette need not be collected when both anaerobic and aerobic cultures are ordered.
- Peel apart pouch.
- Remove applicators.
- Obtain specimens but please make sure to precautions against contamination.
- Discard transtube cap.
- Label with patient’s name and leave at room temperature until transported to the laboratory.
Cytology Specimen:
Fixing of any specimens (putting in alcohol or immediate spraying with cytofixative) at the time of collection is essential to prevent cellular degeneration. Name of patient should be written on slide, and fill out cytology form completely or specimen will be returned.
Every attempt will be made to provide results on the specimen submitted; however, if the specimen is not sufficient in quantity or quality for evaluation, the result will show “Specimen Unsatisfactory” including the reason. Abnormal reports are phoned to the physician. Please write name of patient on slide.
When in doubt, please Contact Us for clarification