In this section
Patient consent
Consent to a specimen being taken and analysed is implied by the patient presenting at the point of specimen collection. It is the responsibility of the requesting clinician to ensure that any objections or restrictions expressed by a patient to the use of their specimen/sample are clearly recorded on the request form.
For samples submitted from external locations, it is the responsibility of the referring Trust to ensure consent for testing is in place. Please be aware that evidence of consent maybe required prior to sample testing.
Sending respiratory samples from clinical areas:
• Samples should be placed into a plastic Ziploc bag and then into another plastic Ziploc bag (preferably with a biohazard label on).
• All respiratory samples for mycology testing (e.g. Aspergillus galactomannan) must be packaged in double bags as described above. Do not submit samples with trap tubing still attached. These samples are prone to leaking. The trap tubing must be replaced with a secure screw cap lid prior to placing in the specimen bag.
Category B transport boxes are no longer required for transport of clinical specimens from clinical areas to sample reception on the same hospital site. Samples being transported by road, between hospital sites, MUST either be placed into a Category B transport box or an appropriate transport bag (i.e. one which adheres to regulations governing the transportation of diagnostic specimens.)
• Using the Cat B transport boxes:
• Using the transport bags:
(Last reviewed November 2026)