Whole blood/serum:
○ Decontaminate skin with 70% alcohol followed by iodine or chlorhexidine, collect at least 5 mL of blood if multiple tests will be ordered
CSF:
○ Decontaminate skin, collect at least 0.5 mL of CSF
Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
PHOL
○ Up to 28 days from receipt at PHO laboratory
416-586-4800 extension 4432
NO; except for molecular testing
○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.
○ Transport specimens to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C)
○ The specimen will be referred to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing. PHOL will refer specimens to NML for testing.