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:
URINE SPECIMEN
- Collect a spot urine specimen in a yellow sterile container - no preservatives. Label with patient details and the date and return to the pathology laboratory with a request form for subsequent testing.
