Preferred specimens are a SWAB from the bite site, or spot urine in sterile container- no preservatives. If a blood sample is necessary, collect 5 mL of blood into PLAIN gel tube.
For the Emergency Department:
The entire venom kit is NOT to be sent to Emergency. The following are to be provided to Emergency by the Haematology Laboratory staff:
a) The method for specimen collection
b) A snake bite swab
c) A 1.5 mL sample diluent bottle (yellow) for bite site collection
All specimens and a request form should be returned to the pathology laboratory for testing.
Method for specimen collection:
BITE SITE SPECIMEN
- Venom may be detected in a swab from the bite site or from surrounding bandage/clothing.
- Carefully remove the lid and the dropper from one sample diluent bottle and moisten the swab in the diluent.
- Thoroughly swab the squeezed bite site, snap the swab into the bottle and replace both the dropper and the lid. Mix by inversion.
- Surrounding clothing or bandages may be cut (1 - 1.5 cm square) and inserted into the sample diluent bottle. Replace both the dropper and the lid and mix thoroughly by inversion.
- Label sample diluent bottle with patient details and date. Return to the pathology laboratory with a request form for subsequent testing.
