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43.3.3 Laboratory Supplies
THSteps medical providers receive a startup package of specimen collection supplies and mailing and shipping containers, including air bills for the shipping of glucose, cholesterol, and lipid profile specimens, after the laboratory receives a listing of verified THSteps providers. Before startup packages are sent to providers, the DSHS laboratory verifies enrollment of THSteps medical providers. The DSHS laboratory calls the provider to verify the shipping address. The DSHS laboratory provides THSteps medical providers with the items listed below associated with whole blood/serum specimen collection. If a newly-enrolled provider is not contacted, the provider should call the laboratory. Requests for specimen requisition forms are routed to the laboratory reporting staff and mailed separately to the providers.
The startup package includes:
• 2 mL vacuum tube (with anticoagulant) for venipuncture.
•Safety needle holders.
•250 - 500 uL finger stick blood collector (with anticoagulant).
•6 mL vacuum tube (without anticoagulant) for venipuncture (required for rapid plasma reagin [RPR], cholesterol, and lipid panel testing).
•4 mL vacuum tube (with antiglycolytic agent) for venipuncture (required for glucose testing and available upon request).
•Snap-Apart filter paper collection card.
•22 gauge x 1 inch vacuum needle.
•Safety lancets.
•Laboratory Forms G-1B, G-2A, and G-2B.
•Lead information pamphlets.
•Mailing container (single- or multiple-tube) with business reply (postage paid) label.
Requests for whole blood/serum specimen collection supplies should be made using DSHS Form G-399, which can be faxed or mailed to the following address:
Laboratory Services Section, MC 1947
Department of State Health Services
PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347
1-512-458-7661 or 1-888-963-7111, ext. 7661
Fax: 1-512-458-7672
Providers should not order more than a three-month supply as most supplies have expiration dates and must be rotated frequently for efficient usage. To reduce waste in ordering, DSHS monitors supply requests according to the number of specimens submitted by the provider. Keep unused tubes with anticoagulant in the original airtight self-closing plastic bag to prevent moisture and dust from reaching the anticoagulant.
To order requisition forms (G-1B, G-2A, G-2B) from the DSHS laboratory, requests can be made by telephone AT 1-512-458-7578 or 1-888-963-7111, ext. 7578 or facsimile at 1-512-458-7533.
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