The following must be submitted:

1. A completed laboratory requisition. Include the doctor’s office phone and fax numbers. Quick link: Lab Requisition

2. Patient demographics and insurance information must accompany all specimen submissions.

3. Ensure the patient’s insurance is accepted by UPMC. You may need to obtain Insurance Authorization prior to laboratory testing submission. Quick Link: CPT Codes

4. Specimen requirements:

• Label each specimen with the patient name and second identifier (ex/ date of birth).
• Bacterial/Fungal/Gram stain/Giemsa Stain specimens can be sent at room temp.
• Viral/Chlamydia/PCR samples should be sent on ice.
• Acanthamoebae culture/PCR specimens should be sent on ice.

Packaging Specimens:

Diagnostic specimens can be easily delivered through couriers and public mail with a few simple requirements as mandated by federal law. These samples must be double-sealed to prevent any leakage of sample. A proper amount of desiccant to absorb any leakage due to damage should also be packed within the double-sealed specimen. The sample should be marked to indicate that the package is a diagnostic specimen.

For example, a corneal specimen collected on a soft-tipped applicator and placed in a plastic tube (transport sleeve, culturette (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, MD), wrapped in a paper towel, enclosed in a sealable vinyl zip-locked bag, placed in a bubble mailer addressed to the laboratory, and marked as “Diagnostic Specimen (Not Restricted) – Packed in Compliance with IATA Packing Instructions 650,” would be a properly sent diagnostic sample.

Send specimen package by courier/mail to:

UPMC Presbyterian Microbiology Department
3477 Euler Way, 6th floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Please call the lab with any questions (412) 647-7211