Before the test

What to bring to the collection centre

Pathology test request form completed by your doctor
A valid Medicare card and/or Private Health Insurance card , or overseas healthcard card (OSHC) and photo ID – this will ensure your testing is billed to Medicare or your healthcare provider if eligible
A list of any current medication and doses

You will also need to bring photo ID if you are having a test for any of the following reasons:

You are an overseas healthcare card holder
Immigration
Occupational Health
Parentage DNA
Insurance
Drug Screening
Court Ordered Testing

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What to do before your test

Your pre-testing instructions will depend on the test you’re having, but the most important thing to do is drink plenty of water before your test – unless your GP has given you a reason not to. This will make it easier for our team member to conduct your blood test.

In some cases, you may be required to fast before your test. This means you will not be able to eat or drink for a set period of time. Fasting is necessary for some tests because some foods and drinks can affect your results.

Your doctor will advise if you are required to fast for your blood test.

About fasting

A quick guide about fasting

Diabetics should not fast without prior medical advice.
Fasting means that you abstain from all food and fluids other than water for a period of 8-14 hours prior to your test.
Alcohol should not be consumed for 72 hours (3 days) prior to the test.
You should avoid smoking during the fasting period.
Do not fast for more than 16 hours prior to your testing.
Continue to take any medication unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
Children under 12 should avoid fasting for more than 4-6 hours.

Tests that may require fasting

Glucose levels
Lipids levels (cholesterol)

These instructions should be adhered to unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

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Pathology testing for children

When taking your child for a blood test, it is a good idea to explain why the test is necessary, and exactly what is involved. Often bringing a favourite toy, book or colouring activity can help your child feel more comfortable.

Children over the age of 12 years can have their collection performed at any of our centres. For children aged from 1 to 12 years, we have specialised paediatric collection centres with collectors who have been trained in paediatric care.

Please call the collection centre you plan to attend ahead of time and make an appointment.

Sometimes your child or baby may require a urine sample to be collected for testing. Please see Urine Collection (Paediatrics) below for further information.

After your blood test

General information

Once the blood collection is complete:

Please leave dressing strip in place for 2-4 hours
Avoid activities which may cause direct impact on the puncture site for 24 hours. If your skin is particularly thin, it may also be advisable to avoid activities which require energetic use of your arm (such as sports, digging or carrying heavy items) for 24 hours.

Your pathology report will be sent directly to your doctor. Please make an appointment with your doctor to discuss results.

Rarely, patients may experience some bleeding, swelling, discomfort or bruising. Should this occur the following steps are recommended:

Bleeding at needle puncture site:
Apply firm pressure directly over the needle site and elevate the arm until bleeding stops.

Discomfort or swelling around needle puncture site:

Elevate the arm and apply an ice pack to the site. This will help reduce bruising.

Excessive bruising:Rest the arm.

Apply ice pack to the area.

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Drug screening

Drug Screen AS4308 (Urine Lab DAS) with Direct Observation

Payment

This test incurs an out-of-pocket fee, which must be paid at the time of collection unless a third party has been nominated to cover the costs.

If you nominate a third party, you must provide Laverty Pathology with a written statement (on letter-headed paper) or a pre-printed chain of custody form from the third party, clearly stating that they will accept responsibility for the payment.

Important:
The collection will not proceed without either payment or confirmation that a third party will cover the costs.

What to Expect

Photo ID must be shown to the collector for the collection to proceed.
The collector is required to directly observe the passage of urine from the urethra to the container.
You will need to sign all tamper-evident labels, seals, and forms. Please follow the collector’s instructions on where to sign.
You will be asked about your current medications and other personal information. This information is recorded on the chain of custody form.
You will need to be in the presence of the collector until the last sample is sealed in a tamper-evident bag. Please be patient and wait until the collector instructs you to leave.

Sample Collection – General Steps

The collector will ask you to remove coats/jumpers and empty your pockets. All personal belongings will be left outside the collection room.
You will be asked to wash your hands prior to producing a sample.
A coloured solution will be added to the toilet. Water taps and soap will be made tamper-evident (e.g., a paper bag taped over the taps).
A sample collection cup will be provided for you to submit a minimum of 40mL of urine.
- A collection staff member will stand in front of you (female) or closely beside you (male) to observe you urinating.
Once finished, the sample cup is handed to the collector. The collector observes the toilet prior to flushing.
The urine will undergo two integrity checks – temperature and creatinine. If the temperature or creatinine is outside the normal range, or anything unusual is noted about the urine, another sample will be required. Delay refrigerating the specimen.

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Drug Screen AS4308 (Urine Lab DAS)

Payment

This test incurs an out-of-pocket fee, which must be paid at the time of collection unless a third party has been nominated to cover the costs.

Important:
The collection will not proceed without either payment or confirmation that a third party will cover the costs.

What to Expect

Photo ID must be shown to the collector for the collection to proceed.
You will need to sign all tamper-evident labels, seals, and forms. Please follow the collector’s instructions on where to sign.
You will be asked about your current medications and other personal information. This information is recorded on the chain of custody form.
You will need to be in the presence of the collector until the last sample is sealed in a tamper-evident bag. Please be patient and wait until the collector instructs you to leave.

Sample Collection – General Steps

The collector will ask you to remove coats/jumpers and empty your pockets. All personal belongings will be left outside the collection room.
You will be asked to wash your hands prior to producing a sample.
A coloured solution will be added to the toilet. Water taps and soap will be made tamper-evident (e.g., a paper bag taped over the taps).
A sample collection cup will be provided for you to submit a minimum of 40mL of urine.
- The collection staff member waits outside the cubicle with the door slightly ajar whilst you urinate.
Once finished, the sample cup is handed to the collector. The collector observes the toilet prior to flushing.
The urine will undergo two integrity checks – temperature and creatinine. If the temperature or creatinine is outside the normal range, or anything unusual is noted about the urine, another sample will be required.

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Drug Screen - Saliva

Payment

This test incurs an out-of-pocket fee, which must be paid at the time of collection unless a third party has been nominated to cover the costs.

Important:
The collection will not proceed without either payment or confirmation that a third party will cover the costs.

What to Expect

Photo ID must be shown to the collector prior to collection.
You must not eat, drink, smoke, vape, or rinse your mouth for at least 10 minutes before the test.
The collector will be in view while you swab the inside of your mouth.
The collector will be present with you during the testing. Please follow all instructions given by them during the procedure.
A form will be given to you to complete information about your current medications, personal details, and consent. Please read and complete it to the best of your ability.

Sample Collection – General Overview

The collector will give you the instant device, which you will swab over your mouth until it is soaked with fluid.

Do not suck or chew on the swab.
If the test result is “non-negative” and your company requires confirmation, a second collection will take place.
The second sample will be sent to the laboratory at a further cost.

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Drug Screen - Instant Urine

Payment

This test incurs an out-of-pocket fee, which must be paid at the time of collection unless a third party has been nominated to cover the costs.

Important:
The collection will not proceed without either payment or confirmation that a third party will cover the costs.

What to Expect

During your visit, you will provide a urine sample under controlled conditions. A trained collector will guide you through the process to ensure compliance and test integrity. The test provides instant results, but non-negative samples may require further laboratory confirmation.

Specimen Collection Process

1. Identification & Documentation

You must present valid photo ID and complete the required forms.

2. Pre-Collection Steps

You may be asked to remove outer garments and wash your hands to prevent tampering.
The restroom will have tamper-evident measures in place.

3. Providing the Sample

A minimum of 40mL of urine is required in a provided collection cup.
Do not flush the toilet.

4. Instant Test Results

The collector will conduct the test on-site:

If negative, the result is recorded, and no further action is required.
If non-negative, the sample will be split into tubes, sealed, and sent for laboratory confirmation.

5. Final Documentation

Both you and the collector must sign all relevant forms before the process is completed.

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Drug Screen - Hair

Payment

This test incurs an out-of-pocket fee, which must be paid at the time of collection unless a third party has been nominated to cover the costs.

Important:
The collection will not proceed without either payment or confirmation that a third party will cover the costs.

What to Expect

Photo ID must be shown to the collector for the collection to proceed.
You will need to sign all tamper-evident labels, seals, and forms. Please follow the collector’s instructions on where to sign.
You will be asked about your current medications and other personal information. This information is recorded on the chain of custody form.
You will need to be in the presence of the collector until the last sample is sealed in a tamper-evident bag. Please be patient and wait until the collector instructs you to leave.

Sample Collection – General Steps

It is important that the required amount of hair is collected to enable the full drug screen to be performed.
Head hair is preferred, with at least 3 cm in length and the thickness of a pencil, regardless of whether it is chemically treated or not.
The sample will be taken from the nape (back of the head) as this has the most regular growth pattern and is cut straight and as close to the scalp as possible.
If no head hair is available, permission from the testing laboratory is required to collect an equivalent amount of body hair.
The hair sample is then divided into two equal portions, sealed for security, and sent to the testing laboratory.
Testing is performed weekly, and the expected turnaround time for results varies:
- 10-14 days for Drugs of Abuse
- 4 weeks for Alcohol testing

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Urine testing

Urine - Mid Stream

Your doctor has requested that you provide one specimen or three consecutive mid-morning, mid-stream urine specimens.

Instructions:

No specific dietary or medication restrictions necessary. Ensure you are well hydrated.
The first urine specimen of the day is not suitable for this test.
A mid-morning, mid-stream urine sample should be collected.
If 3 x urine samples requested, these must be collected on 3 consecutive days. Each sample MUST be marked day 1, 2 and 3 retrospectively.
Each sample is to be delivered to the Collection Centre each day. DO NOT deliver all 3 samples together.

Materials we supply:

Yellow top container/s – as per Request Form instructions
Specimen Bags

Procedure:

First sample:

Label the container with your full name, date of birth, date and time of collection and test name.
Remove the lid from the urine container and avoid contamination of the inside of the container or lid. Note: Females – separate the labia (skin folds). Male – retract foreskin if uncircumcised.
Pass an initial amount of urine into the toilet and then pass the container under and collect a minimum of 30mls (fill the jar 3/4 full) of urine, in the container.
Place the lid on the container and tighten the lid firmly to prevent leakage. Avoid cross threading of the lid, and insert into the Specimen Bag.
Return the sample to the Collection Centre on the day of collection.
If there is any delay, refrigerate the specimen.

Important Notice:

Repeat steps 1-5 for the collection of the samples 2 and 3 if required. Ensure containers are marked 2 & 3 respectively on the lid.

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Urine Collection – 24 Hour

It is essential that urine specimens are carefully collected for accurate laboratory results. Please follow the instructions exactly. If you are unsure how to collect the specimen, ask our staff to explain.

We supply you:

1 x Urine Collection Container

Procedure:

Collect ALL urine produced within a 24 hour period.

We strongly advise that you avoid the contents of the container and suggest that you collect your urine into another container (e.g. clean ice cream container) and then pour into the urine container.
Empty your bladder into the toilet soon after getting out of bed in the morning and record the time (e.g. 6:00 am) and date on the container.
Collect all further urine samples into the container, up to and including the final specimen, which is to be collected 24 hrs. later e.g. Next morning, empty bladder into the bottle. This will complete the collection.
Place the lid on the container and tighten the lid firmly to prevent leakage. Avoid cross threading.
Record the starting and finishing date and time of collection on the container.
The container should be kept in a cool place during collection.
Bring container to the Collection Centre within 4 hours of finishing the collection.

Please note that if any urine is accidentally lost/spilt you must notify the collector when returning the sample. Please telephone the Chemical Pathologist on 02 9005 7000 if you are uncertain about any of these instructions.

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Urine Collection (Paediatrics)

We supply you:

1 x Paediatric urine bag.
1 x Yellow top container.

Procedure:

Label container with the baby’s full name, date of birth, date and time of specimen collection, test name.
Wash your hands.
Remove the baby’s nappy.
Wash the genital area thoroughly with soap and water. Dry thoroughly.
Open the urine collection pack.
Remove the keyhole shaped opening on the urine bag without touching the inside of the bag.
Remove the adhesive protector.
Apply the bag over the urethral opening.
After the urine has been passed, carefully remove the bag.
With scissors, snip the corner of the bag and pour the urine into the yellow top container.
Place the lid on the container and tighten the lid firmly to prevent leakage. Avoid cross threading the lid.
Return the sample to the Collection Centre as soon as possible on the day of collection. If there is any delay, refrigerate the specimen.
Wash your hands and any scissors after this procedure.

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Urine Collection – 8 Hour Overnight

We supply you:

1 x Urine Collection Container.

Procedure:

Collect ALL urine produced within an 8 hour period.

We strongly advise that you avoid the contents of the container and suggest that you collect your urine into another container (e.g. clean ice cream container) and then pour into the urine container.
Empty your bladder into the toilet just before bedtime and record the time eg. 10:00pm and date on the container provided.
Collect all subsequent urine samples into the container, up to and including the final specimen, which is to be collected 8 hrs. later e.g. Next morning, empty bladder into the bottle. This will complete the collection.
Place the lid on the container and tighten the lid firmly to prevent leakage. Avoid cross threading.
Record the starting and finishing date and time of collection on the container.
The container should be kept in a cool place during collection.
Bring the container to the Collection Centre within 4 hours of finishing the collection.

Please note that if any urine is accidentally lost/spilt you must notify the collector when returning the sample.
Please telephone the Chemical Pathologist on 02 9005 7000 if you are uncertain about any of these instructions.

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Urine Collection PCR Test (Chlamydia)

Your doctor requires you to collect a First Void Urine sample for a PCR test for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, Trichomonas vaginalis and / or Mycoplasma genitalium.

Instructions:

Please ensure you have not passed urine for at least 1 hour prior to collection of the sample.

We supply you:

1 x Green top container.

Procedure:

Label the container with your full name, date of birth, date and time of collection.
Where the label reads “Specimen of” write for example ‘Chlamydia First Void Urine.’
Wash hands.
Remove the lid from the urine container and place it where it can be easily reached.
Avoid contamination of the inside of the container or lid.
Pass the first 30-40ml (fill the jar 3/4 full) of urine into the container provided.
Pass any additional urine in the toilet.

Place the lid on the container and tighten the lid firmly to prevent leakage. Avoid cross threading.
Return the sample to the Collection Centre on the day of collection.

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