Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Message Alert:

PLEASE NOTE: This Test Directory is in an interim state and due to changes pertaining to the DynaLIFE transition, performing site for routing has not been updated. Please refer to Laboratory Information System for appropriate routing.

Test Name/Synonym:

Ammonia (NH3, NH4) - Calgary Zone (CLS)

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB47

Primary Container:

LAVENDER EDTA

Specimen Collection Requirements:

Test cannot be collected by Patient Service Centres (PSC), Mobile Collection Service (MCS) or Urgent Care Centres.

RRL:
One 4 mL lavender EDTA tube.
0.2 mL plasma

Keep tubes cold (immerse in ice water) before collecting and immediately after collection.

VENOUS COLLECTION ONLY.

Calgary Zone: Microcollection Minimum Whole Blood Volumes

Mix well by inverting tube 8 to 10 times.

PSC & Urgent Care Centres:
Specimen not stable. Refer patient to ACH, FMC, PLC, RGH or SHC.

Processing:

Deliver to lab immediately on ice.
Centrifuge without delay at 4ºC + 2ºC, aliquot, and place on ice. Plasma may be stored at 4ºC for up to 1 hour if necessary.
Freeze if unable to immediately analyze.

Microcollection Tubes (used for minimal volume venous collections):
Deliver to lab immediately on ice.
Centrifuge without delay in microcentrifuge at room temperature, do not aliquot, place on ice immediately.
Transport specimen on ice to testing lab as soon as possible.

Calgary Rural Labs:
Immediately freeze plasma.
Ensure frozen specimen is packaged with appropriate packaging material so it remains frozen in transit.
Accession will verify the specimen is received frozen and ensure it is delivered frozen to Chemistry.
Chemistry will verify specimen is received frozen and rapidly thaw and process immediately.

Extra-regional:
Immediately freeze plasma.
Ensure frozen specimen is packaged with appropriate packaging material so it remains frozen in transit.
DSC Accession will verify the specimen is received frozen and ensure it remains frozen for transport to FMC.
FMC Accession will verify the specimen is received frozen and ensure it is delivered frozen to Chemistry.
Chemistry will verify specimen is received frozen and rapidly thaw and process immediately.

If the specimen thaws before being received in Chemistry it is unsuitable for analysis and must be rejected.
The specimen cannot be refrozen to continue in transit.

Testing Schedule:

As Required

Reference Interval:

Age	Gender	Reference Interval	Units
0 days up to 3 months	M, F, U, X	30 – 100	µmol/L
3 months up to 16 years		20 – 50
16 years or greater		20 – 50

Critical Value:

See critical values.

Testing Area:

Chemistry

Performing Site:

ACH, FMC, PLC, RGH, SHC

Last Updated On:

Tuesday, May 9, 2023