Collection and storage of biological samples

Blood samples are taken in the morning.
Fast for 8-12 hours before the blood sample is taken.
If necessary, you can drink 1-2 glasses of water during the fast, but you should avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and, with the permission of your doctor, taking medications such as tranquilizers, sleeping pills, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and vitamins.
The composition of the meal preceding the fast must be the usual one.

• Avoid excessive fasting, beyond 24 hours, as it can cause a decrease in blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, proteins, and thyroid hormones, and an increase in bilirubin, uric acid, and creatinine.

• First: To locate the puncture point, keep your arm outstretched and your hand clenched into a fist.
• During: to facilitate correct and fast sampling, keep your arm outstretched and relaxed with your hand closed.
• After: To avoid any small bruises, keep your arm relaxed, straight and your hand open and apply moderate pressure for at least 5 minutes.

A first morning urine sample is preferred, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. It's best to use the containers provided by the reception staff or available at pharmacies.

(Not to be performed during antibiotic therapy)

The container used to collect the urine sample must be sterile and can be obtained free of charge from the laboratory or purchased from a pharmacy.

Proceed as follows:

1. Perform a thorough local cleaning;
2. Discard the first urine stream of the morning;
3. Collect the so-called "middle stream", that is, the second stream of urine that has not been contaminated with the outside, directly into the container, taking care not to touch the internal walls;
4. Reseal the container and deliver it to the laboratory as soon as possible, indicating if antibiotic therapies are in progress.

You need to have a suitable container which can be purchased at the pharmacy.

To perform the collection correctly:
1. Discard the first urine of the morning;
2. Collect from this point on all urine produced over the next 24 hours, including the first urine of the following morning.

The container must be kept in a cool place for the entire collection period.

NoteFor tests where a preservative (acid or thymol) is required, it is necessary that:

• Before starting the collection, the contents of the bottle provided by the Laboratory, containing a preservative solution, should be poured into the container

The patient must present himself at the laboratory in the morning after fasting from midnight, bringing with him the 24-hour urine collected in the appropriate container following the procedures described above.
The test also involves a blood sample.

• Transfer an appropriate amount of feces into the container, which must not exceed the capacity of the supplied scoop.
• The sample must not be contaminated with urine and must reach the laboratory as soon as possible.
• The container can be collected free of charge from the laboratory or purchased from a pharmacy.

• Collect a small amount of stool and place it in the appropriate occult blood container. The container can be picked up free of charge from the laboratory.
• The sample must not be contaminated with urine.
• The test is specific for human blood, so no diet is necessary, while it is advisable to avoid menstruation.
• You should not perform the test if you have hemorrhoids.
• Do not take aspirin or drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid in the three days prior to collection.
• It is recommended to collect three samples (in children, one sample is sufficient).
• Store the three samples in the refrigerator and deliver them to the laboratory within 7 days.

• Collect a small amount of stool and place it in a suitable container.
• The sample must not be contaminated with urine and must be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible.
• There must be no ongoing antibiotic therapy.
• The container can be collected free of charge from the laboratory or purchased from a pharmacy.

• Collect a slide with its transport case from the laboratory.
• In the morning, as soon as you wake up, before having a bowel movement or washing, apply a strip of clear adhesive tape (similar in size to the slide provided) to the skin around the anus for a few moments; the adhesive tape helps capture the eggs and/or larvae laid by pinworms that migrate to the anal opening during the night.
• Remove the adhesive tape and apply it, spread out, to the surface of the slide.
• Deliver to the Laboratory the same morning

(The procedure can also be applied to collect 3 samples from 3 different mornings and everything can be delivered to the laboratory on the third morning)

The examination includes microscopic research of respiratory tract bacteria or cytological tests to identify any atypical cells.
Collect sputum after a strong cough first thing in the morning. The sputum should be deep, meaning it comes from the lower airways and should be contaminated with as little saliva as possible.

Before collection, observe a period of sexual abstinence of no less than 3 and no more than 7 days – the period of sexual abstinence means the time elapsed since the last emission of seminal fluid (sexual intercourse, masturbation or spontaneous nocturnal emission).

Collect all the seminal fluid by masturbation directly into a sterile container (you can collect it from the laboratory or buy it from the pharmacy).

Before collection, empty your bladder and wash your hands and external genitals with soap and water.

The collection takes place in the outpatient clinic.

• Deliveries can be made between 7.00am and 10.00am.
• There is no need for sexual abstinence.
• Empty the bladder, wash the genitals thoroughly, collect the semen in a sterile container.

The subject must be fasting if possible, must not have taken antibiotics for at least 5 days and, preferably, must not have performed oral hygiene procedures.

Do not take antibiotics for at least 5 days or use ear drops at least the night before.

Don't take antibiotics for at least 5 days and don't use any drops or eye drops before the exam. Avoid using cleansers to wash your face.

Do not take antibiotics for at least 5 days and do not inhale any sprays or drops before the exam. Do not use facial cleansers.

The indications that the patient must follow to undergo this test are the following:

• have stopped all antibiotic and/or antifungal treatment for at least 5 days before the sample is taken;
• do not wash before taking the sample;
• It is necessary to avoid urinating in the 3 hours preceding the test.

Do not take antibiotics for at least 5 days and do not wash the perianal area from the night before.

The subject must not undergo pharmacological therapy (even local).

The subject must not undergo pharmacological therapy (even local).

The subject must not take any pharmacological therapy (even locally) and must not wash the area from the evening before.

The indications that the patient must follow to undergo this test are the following:

• have stopped all antibiotic and/or antifungal treatment for at least 5 days before the sample is taken;
• it is advisable to avoid having sexual intercourse for at least 3 days before the sample is taken;
• not having periods;
• do not wash before taking the sample;
• not having performed vaginal irrigations in the days preceding the sample collection.

The subject must not have inhaled cortisone and/or decongestant drugs at least since the previous evening.

It is advisable to take the sample between the 11th and 15th day after the start of menstruation.

THE CYTOLOGICAL EXAMINATION MUST BE PERFORMED ON 3 URINE SAMPLES COLLECTED IN 3 SUCCESSIVE DAYS

Urine collection should be started within 2 days of the sample delivery date (preferably samples are collected on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday and brought to the laboratory on Monday morning or Tuesday morning).

To perform the test, you will be provided with a bag containing: three pre-filled containers with fixative liquid for storing and transporting urine samples and an instruction sheet.

You must write your personal details on the white part of each test tube.

Urine should not be that of the night, but the second of the morning.

Then:

• Discard the night's urine, drink 2/3 glasses of water and collect the subsequent urine in a clean container.
• Use the “SAMPLE 1” container containing the fixative and introduce the collected urine up to the level of the last mark on the test tube.
• Close the container carefully.
• Store the container thus prepared at room temperature.
• Repeat the procedure on the second and third day, using the “SAMPLE 2” and “SAMPLE 3” containers.
• Reintroduce the three samples into the bag

THE THREE SAMPLES MUST BE DELIVERED TOGETHER ON THE SAME DAY