Common test name Primary test name Specimen Container Referred test Patient cost Comments/Instructions
Packed Cell Volume Packed Cell Volume Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No   
PAI Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Treat as Urgent Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 ho... (more)  
Pancreatic Polypeptide Pancreatic Polypeptide Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Deliver to laboratory WITHIN 4 hours of collection. MUST stay frozen when sent out. Venepuncture. Pl... (more)  
Paracetamol Paracetamol Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Note time of collection in relationship to suspected overdose Venepuncture.  
Parainfluenza Virus 1,2, and 3 PCR Respiratory Viral PCR   Sterile container  Yes  No   
Parainfluenza Virus antibodies Influenza Virus A & B antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Collect acute and convalescent samples 2 weeks apart. Provide date of onset of illness. Venepunctu... (more)  
Parasite antigens - faeces Faeces, Giardia and Crytosporidium antigens Faeces (random X 1)  Faeces container  No  No  Specimen must arrive in laboratory within 24 hours of collection. Parasite kits (for clinicians) a... (more)  
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Parathyroid Hormone Related Peptide, (PTHRP) Parathyroid Hormone Related Peptide, (PTHRP) Blood  Tube containing Trasylol, available from laboratory  Yes  No  EDTA tube with Trasylol in ratio of 1mL trasylol to 9mL blood. Place on ice and deliver to laborato... (more)  
Parietal Cell antibodies Anti-Parietal Cell antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Parkinson's Disease Genetic Screen Parkinson's Disease Genetic Screen Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  Yes  No   
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria screen Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria screen Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No  Consult Haematology before collection on 9288 4226 Venepuncture  
Parvovirus B19 antibodies Parvovirus B19 antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  Yes  None. Venepuncture.  
Parvovirus B19 DNA, Detection by PCR Parvovirus B19 DNA, Detection by PCR Blood  ACD tube  Yes  No  None. Venepuncture.  
Paul Bunnell Test Epstein Barr Virus antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  Yes   
Paxam Clonazepam Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Trough level - collect at least 6-8 hours after last dose. Venepuncture. Date, time and dose of las... (more)  
PBG Porphobilinogen Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  PROTECT FROM LIGHT; cover container with foil. Collect random urine.  
PBG Deaminase PBG Deaminase Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  Yes  No   
PC Protein C Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Note on request form if patient is taking warfarin, note dose and time of last dose. Sodium citrate... (more)  
PCA (Parietal Cell antibodies) Anti-Parietal Cell antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
PCV Packed Cell Volume Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No   
PD fluid, Microscopy and culture Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid, Microscopy and culture Bag, CAPD bag.  Dialysis bag  No  No  Hold at 4º until delivered to the laboratory. Collected by referring clinician or hospital staff.  
Pearson Syndrome, Genetic testing Pearson Syndrome, Genetic testing Muscle  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  Yes  No   
Pediculosis Hair, for Microbiological Investigation Hair  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No   
Pelvic inflammatory disease Fallopian Tube Swab Fluid/tissue or swabs  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No  The work-up performed is dependent on the clinical notes provided. A collection for Chlamydia PCR te... (more)  
Pelvic Washings, cytology Cytology, Pelvic Washings Pelvic Washings  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  Sample may be shared with Microbiology, Biochemistry,Flow Cytometry. Please check other laboratory... (more)  
Penicillin G Penicillin G Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Trough level - collect at least 6-8 hours after last dose. Venepuncture. Date, time and dose of las... (more)  
Penile Swab Penile Swab Penile swab  ENT/urethral swab- wire swab in transport medium  No  No  The work-up performed is dependent on the clinical notes provided. Viral and chlamydia PCR kits ar... (more)  
Perhexiline Perhexiline Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  Yes  No  Trough level - collect at least 6-8 hours after last dose. Venepuncture. Date, time and dose of la... (more)  
Pericardial Effusion Cytology, Pericardial Fluid Pericardial Fluid  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  Do not send large volumes of fluid in Plastic Bags. Sample may be shared with Microbiology, Biochemi... (more)  
Pericardial Fluid, Microscopy and culture Pericardial Fluid, Microscopy and culture Aspirate  Sterile container  No  No  Deliver within 1 hour, if a cell count is requested. Viral examination may be performed if requeste... (more)  
Perineum swab- MRSA MRSA Screen Swab, nose, perineum, and other sites, if required  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No  If three sets of swabs are required for clearance, collect on three consecutive days, not all on one... (more)  
Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid, Microscopy and culture Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid, Microscopy and culture Bag, CAPD bag.  Dialysis bag  No  No  Hold at 4º until delivered to the laboratory. Collected by referring clinician or hospital staff.  
Peritoneal Fluid, Microscopy and culture Peritoneal Fluid, Microscopy and culture Aspirated Fluid  Sterile container  No  No  Deliver within 1 hour.If a cell count is requested Collected by referring Clinician.  
Peritoneal Washings, cytology Cytology, Peritoneal Washings Peritoneal Washings  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  Sample may be shared with Microbiology, Biochemistry,Flow Cytometry. Please check other laboratory... (more)  
Peri-Tonsillar Abscess Swab or Aspirate Throat Swab, Microscopy and culture Swab  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No   
Permacath Catheter, Intravenous Catheter Tip, for Microbiology Catheter tip  Sterile container  No  No  Indicate on Request Form and specimen container, type and site of catheter. Collected by referring c... (more)  
Pernasal swab, Bordetella pertussis PCR Bordetella pertussis PCR   Sterile container  Yes  Yes   
Pernasal swab, Microscopy and culture Nasopharyngeal Swab, Microscopy and culture Nasopharyngeal aspirate or pernasal swab  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  Nasopharyngeal aspirate is the preferred specimen. Include clinical details such as sinusitis, CSF l... (more)  
Pertussis antibodies Bordetella pertussis antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Please provide date of onset of illness. Venepuncture  
Pesticide Exposure testing Pesticide Screen (Organochlorinated pesticides) Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No   
Pesticide Screen (Organochlorinated pesticides) Pesticide Screen (Organochlorinated pesticides) Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No   
Pethidine, Qualitative Urine Screen Pethidine, Qualitative Urine Screen Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  Yes  No  All urine drug screens should be supervised. Indicate that the collection was supervised by writing... (more)  
Pethidine, Quantitative Plasma Assay Pethidine, Quantitative Plasma Assay Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No   
Pexsig Perhexiline Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  Yes  No  Trough level - collect at least 6-8 hours after last dose. Venepuncture. Date, time and dose of la... (more)  
Phenobarbitone Phenobarbitone Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Trough level - collect at least 6-8 hours after last dose. Venepuncture. Date, time and dose of la... (more)  
Phenotyping Alpha-1-Anti-Trypsin Phenotype Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Phenyl-Alanine Phenyl-Alanine Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No   
Phenytoin Phenytoin Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Trough level - collect at least 6-8 hours after last dose. Venepuncture. Date, time and dose of la... (more)  
PHN screeen Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria screen Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No  Consult Haematology before collection on 9288 4226 Venepuncture  
Phosphate Phosphate Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Phosphate, Urine Phosphate, Urine Urine  Urine container Acid 24 hour  No  No   
Phytanic Acid Phytanic Acid Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  Yes  No   
PICC line Catheter, Intravenous Catheter Tip, for Microbiology Catheter tip  Sterile container  No  No  Indicate on Request Form and specimen container, type and site of catheter. Collected by referring c... (more)  
Picornavirus PCR Respiratory Viral PCR   Sterile container  Yes  No   
Pinworm, Egg Examination Enterobius vermicularis Examination See collection instructions  EDTA Tube 6ml  No  No  Collect as early in the morning as possible and before bathing. Prepared by applying adhesive tape t... (more)  
Pituitary antibodies Anti-Pituitary antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Test is only performed after being approved by Pathologist (who will speak to requesting doctor). Ve... (more)  
Plasma Catecholamines Catecholamines, Plasma Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No  Specimens must be centrifuged and plasma frozen WITHIN 30 minutes of collection. Arrangements shoul... (more)  
Plasma porphyrins Porphyrins, Plasma Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No  PROTECT FROM LIGHT; cover container with foil. Venepuncture.  
Plasminogen Activator Plasminogen Activator Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  Yes  No  Treat as URGENT. Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 2 h... (more)  
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Treat as Urgent Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 ho... (more)  
Plasminogen Assay Plasminogen Assay Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  Yes  No   
Platelet ab's Platelet antibodies Blood  Plain Tube 10 ml  Yes  No   
Platelet Aggregation Platelet Aggregation Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Contact Haematology for an appointment on 9288 4226. No aspirin or any antiplatelet drugs within 7... (more)  
Platelet antibodies Platelet Associated Immunoglobulin - Direct Test Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No  URGENT:deliver within 1 hour. If the doctor's request is for platelet antibodies it is most likel... (more)  
Platelet antibodies Platelet antibodies Blood  Plain Tube 10 ml  Yes  No   
Platelet Associated Immunoglobulin - Direct Test Platelet Associated Immunoglobulin - Direct Test Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No  URGENT:deliver within 1 hour. If the doctor's request is for platelet antibodies it is most likel... (more)  
Platelet Function studies Platelet Aggregation Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Contact Haematology for an appointment on 9288 4226. No aspirin or any antiplatelet drugs within 7... (more)  
Pleural Effusion Cytology, Pleural Fluid Pleural Fluid  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  Do not send large volumes of fluid in Plastic Bags. Sample may be shared with Microbiology, Biochemi... (more)  
Pleural Fluid Adenosine Deaminase Adenosine Deaminase, Pleural Fluid Pleural Fluid  **Sterile container  Yes  No   
Pleural Fluid, Microscopy and culture Pleural Fluid, Microscopy and culture Aspirate  Sterile container  No  No  None. Collected by referring Clinician.  
PML/RARa (Gene Rearrangement for APML) Bone PML/RARa (Gene Rearrangement for APML) Bone Bone Marrow  EDTA Tube 4 ml  Yes  No  Contact haematology on 9288 4226. Test by appointment only. Collected by Pathologist.  
PMP22 CMT1A Gene Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  Yes   
pneumococcal antigen Streptococcus pneumoniae urinary antigen Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  Yes  No   
Pneumocystis carinii, Microscopy Pneumocystis carinii, Microscopy Sputum, Bronchoalveolar lavage OR Bronchial washings  Bronchial Suction Trap Container  No  No  Induction or physiotherapy as required or collection at bronchosopy Collected by referring Clinician... (more)  
PO4 Phosphate Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Polyoma virus DNA (PCR) BK Virus DNA   CSF tube(s)  Yes  Yes   
Porphobilinogen Porphobilinogen Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  PROTECT FROM LIGHT; cover container with foil. Collect random urine.  
Porphyrins, Blood Porphyrins, Blood Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No  PROTECT FROM LIGHT; cover container with foil. DO NO CENTRIFUGE Venepuncture. PROTECT FROM LIGHT; ... (more)  
Porphyrins, Faeces Porphyrins, Faeces Faeces  Faeces container  Yes  No  PROTECT FROM LIGHT; cover container with foil. Collect random faecal sample.  
Porphyrins, Plasma Porphyrins, Plasma Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No  PROTECT FROM LIGHT; cover container with foil. Venepuncture.  
Porphyrins, Urine Porphyrins, Urine Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  Yes  No   
Portacath Catheter, Intravenous Catheter Tip, for Microbiology Catheter tip  Sterile container  No  No  Indicate on Request Form and specimen container, type and site of catheter. Collected by referring c... (more)  
Post operative wound, Microscopy and culture Wound swab, Microscopy and culture Wound swab  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No   
Potassium Potassium Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Deliver within 4 hours to avoid excessive potassium leakage from red cells. Avoid haemolysis; haemo... (more)  
Potassium Channel Antibodies Potassium Channel Antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Potassium, Faeces Potassium, Faeces Random faeces  Faeces container  No  No  Faecal samples should be at least semi-liquid in nature. Solid, well-formed stool specimens are not ... (more)  
Potassium, Urine Potassium, Urine Urine  Urine container Plain 24 hour  No  No   
pp Pancreatic Polypeptide Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Deliver to laboratory WITHIN 4 hours of collection. MUST stay frozen when sent out. Venepuncture. Pl... (more)  
PR Protein, Total Serum protein Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Pre-Albumin Pre-Albumin Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Pregnancy Screen Pregnancy Test (Qualitative test for hCG) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Pregnancy Test (Qualitative test for hCG) Pregnancy Test (Qualitative test for hCG) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Pressure sore swab, Microscopy and culture Ulcer Swab, Microscopy and culture Swab  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No  Tissue biopsy preferred for mycobacterial culture. A separate swab (Green top Virocult) is required ... (more)  
Primidone Primidone Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Trough level - collect at least 6-8 hours after last dose. Venepuncture. Date, time and dose of la... (more)  
Prion Protein Gene Mutation Prion Protein Gene Mutation Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  Yes  No   
PRL Prolactin Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Avoid stressful venepuncture if possible; prolactin levels are affected by stress Venepuncture.  
Procalcitonin Procalcitonin Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No  Deliver to laboratory WITHIN 4 hrs of collection Venepuncture. Place on ice.  
Progesterone Progesterone Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Pro-insulin Pro-insulin Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Deliver to laboratory WITHIN 4 hours of collection Venepuncture. Place specimen on ice  
Prolactin Prolactin Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Avoid stressful venepuncture if possible; prolactin levels are affected by stress Venepuncture.  
Prostate Specific Antigen Prostate Specific Antigen Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Prostatic acid phosphatase Acid Phosphatase Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Not Routinely Sent: Consult Senior Biochemistry Staff. Venepuncture.  
Prostatic Secretions Prostatic Secretions Urine, urethral urine, collect first 10 mL voided   Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No   
Prostatic Specific Antigen Prostate Specific Antigen Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Prosthesis, for Microbiological Investigation Implant, Microscopy and Culture Implant or prosthetic device  Sterile container  No  No  Deliver immediately. Do not add formalin. Collected by referring Clinician.  
Protein C Protein C Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Note on request form if patient is taking warfarin, note dose and time of last dose. Sodium citrate... (more)  
Protein Electrophoresis, Serum Protein Electrophoresis, Serum Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Protein Electrophoresis, Urine Protein Electrophoresis, Urine Early morning urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No   
Protein S Protein S Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  It is preferable that the patient is not on Warfarin. Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the l... (more)  
Protein, Total Serum protein Protein, Total Serum protein Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Protein, Urine Protein, Urine Urine  Urine container Plain 24 hour  No  No   
Proteinase 3 antibodies Anti-Proteinase 3 antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Prothrombin assay Factor II Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 hours. Venepuncture  
Prothrombin Fragments 1 and 2 Prothrombin Fragments 1 and 2 Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  Yes  No   
Prothrombin Gene Analysis, (Gene 20210A) Prothrombin Gene Analysis, (Gene 20210A) Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No   
Prothrombin time INR (International Normalised Ratio) Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 hours. Answer all q... (more)  
PRP Parathyroid Hormone Related Peptide, (PTHRP) Blood  Tube containing Trasylol, available from laboratory  Yes  No  EDTA tube with Trasylol in ratio of 1mL trasylol to 9mL blood. Place on ice and deliver to laborato... (more)  
PSA Prostate Specific Antigen Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
PSA, Free Free PSA Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Pseudocholinesterase Cholinesterase, Serum Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Psittacosis (chlamydial) antibodies Chlamydia antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  If blood is drawn during the acute phase of the illlness please send convalescent sample 2 weeks lat... (more)  
PT INR (International Normalised Ratio) Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 hours. Answer all q... (more)  
PTH Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
PTH Related Peptide PTHrp Blood  Special collection kit; contact laboratory.  Yes  No  Freeze Immediately Special Collection - IML Trasylol / 9ml Blood - EDTA  
PTHrp PTHrp Blood  Special collection kit; contact laboratory.  Yes  No  Freeze Immediately Special Collection - IML Trasylol / 9ml Blood - EDTA  
Purine Nucleophosphorylase Purine Nucleophosphorylase Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Purkinje Cell antibodies Anti-Purkinje Cell antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Pus from abscess, Microscopy and culture Pus, Microscopy and culture Pus  Sterile container  No  No  None. The referring clinician collects samples from unruptured abscesses by aspiration of contents w... (more)  
Pus swab, Microscopy and culture Wound swab, Microscopy and culture Wound swab  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No   
Pus, Microscopy and culture Pus, Microscopy and culture Pus  Sterile container  No  No  None. The referring clinician collects samples from unruptured abscesses by aspiration of contents w... (more)  
Pustule swab, Microscopy and culture Skin swab, Microscopy and culture Skin swab  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No   
Pyridinium Cross-links Pyridinium Cross-links Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  Yes  No   
Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate Vitamin B6 Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No  DO NOT CENTRIFUGE PROTECT FROM LIGHT; cover container with foil. Venepuncture  
Pyridoxine Vitamin B6 Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No  DO NOT CENTRIFUGE PROTECT FROM LIGHT; cover container with foil. Venepuncture  
Pyruvate - Serum Pyruvate - Serum Blood  Special collection kit; contact laboratory.  Yes  No  *1:1 ratio of blood to preservative - 5mls blood to 5 mls Perchloric Acid; Supernatant; Send out at ... (more)  
Pyruvate, CSF Pyruvate, CSF CSF  CSF tube(s)  Yes  No   
Pyruvate, Plasma Pyruvate, Plasma Blood  Special collection kit; contact laboratory.  Yes  No  Tube containing perchloric acid preservative obtained from laboratory Venepuncture INTO special tube... (more)