Specimen Requirements

Specimen and shipping requirements

Genomed accepts sample types listed below and offers free kits for sample collection. Please contact our team if you require any assistance.

For diagnostic,screening and DNA testing, saliva is the easiest specimen for patients to provide from home and enables results just as accurate as blood.

SALIVA

TEST TYPES:

– Diagnostic testing (panels and exome)

– Health Screening panels

– Carrier screening

DNA Testing

SPECIMEN TYPES

Specimen types accepted:

– Saliva collected and stored in an OrageneTM self collection kit (OG500/OGD500/OGD510).

1.) Please note that this kit requires 2 mL of saliva for OG500/OGD500 and 1 mL of saliva for OGD510, and involves active (not assisted) saliva donation

– Saliva collected and stored in an OrageneTM assisted saliva collection kit (OG575/OGD575)

1.) This kit is appropriate for young children or patients where active saliva donation is difficult.

2.) Due to the smaller volume collected in these kits (0.75 mL per kit), we request that two tubes be filled per order.

To request a free kit, please contact our clinic.

We are unable to accept:

1.) Saliva in any container other than the OrageneTM kits (OG500/OGD500/OGD510/OG575/OGD575)

2.) Buccal swabs and mouthwash specimens

3.) Saliva (or blood) from patients who have had an allogeneic (non-self donor) bone marrow transplant

4.) Saliva (or blood) from patients who have had an allogeneic (non-self donor) stem cell transplant

5.) Saliva (or blood) from patients who had a blood transfusion less than two weeks prior to specimen collection

– Hematologic malignancy:

Results may be affected for blood or saliva samples from patients with hematological malignancies that are actively circulating in the peripheral blood. In such cases, a specimen type not derived from blood or saliva is suggested, such as gDNA from a skin biopsy. Please see the “DNA" tab above for more information and click here to learn more.

LABELING

The collection tube must be labeled with:

– The patient’s full name

– One additional unique identifier:

1.) Date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

2.) Medical record number

3.) IB number, if placed by submitting clinician

4.) Invitae test order ID (RQ#)

5.) Medical record number

– Specimen collection date

The patient name and at least one additional unique identifier written on the tube must match the name and identifier provided when the test order was placed. We recommend including more than one additional unique identifier to ensure a match.

STORAGE & STABILITY

Store saliva at room temperature, avoiding lengthy refrigeration. Although there are no special time requirements, we recommend that the specimen be mailed to Genomed soon after collection.

DOCUMENTATION

A printed copy of the requisition form must be submitted with the specimen. Please note that notes handwritten on the form will not be processed. If you need to modify your order, please contact client services.

SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS

Ship at room temperature (overnight shipping is not necessary). To assist with specimen collection and shipping, you can request a free Genomed saliva collection kit by submitting a Request a Kit form via email or through our local clinic.

Genomed accepts packages Monday through to Friday. Please do not request Saturday delivery.  Genomed follows the FedEx Holiday Service Schedule. If you ship your specimen from outside the United States, your shipping carrier will require three copies of a commercial (pro-forma) invoice. A sample pro-forma invoice is available. Please be sure to also include a customs declaration form. A sample saliva customs declaration form is also available.