Bone Marrow Submission Guidelines

A. To receive a bone marrow interpretation, please submit the following:

  1. Bone marrow biopsy: (core, plug): Label with name, MRN, DOB, site of collection, date and time of collection.
    • Touch slide with 2-4 imprints present on slide
    • Place biopsy (core, plug) in a B+ fixative tube.
    • Place clot specimen (if obtained) in a separate B+ fixative tube.
    • Dry tap aspirates may have a second biopsy placed in RPMI for cytogenetic or flow cytometry studies at GMC only.
  2. Bone marrow aspirate:
    • Four (4) unstained, unfixed, air-dried direct or “Push” aspirate slides with name and MRN, DOB, site of collection, and date/time of collection.
    • Two (2) unstained, unfixed, air-dried spicule or “Squash” aspirate slides with name and MRN, DOB, site of collection, and date/time of collection
    • Place initial 2 ml aspirate specimen in a potassium EDTA lavender-top tube. Label tube with name, MRN, DOB, site of collection, date and time of collection, type of sample (bone marrow).
    • Place remaining aspirate specimen equally  two (2) potassium EDTA lavender-top tubeS (Molecular Genetics) and 2 Green sodium heparin-top tubes (Flow Cytometry and Cytogenetics). Label tube with name, MRN, DOB, site of collection, date and time of collection, type of sample (bone marrow).
  3. Whole blood sample:
    • Two (2) unstained, air-dried peripheral blood smears
    • One (1) potassium EDTA lavender-top tube for a CBC OR CBCD results drawn within 24 hours of bone marrow collection.
    • Complete patient/clinical history

B. Flow Cytometry

One (1) sodium heparin tube with a minimum of 1 mL of bone marrow aspirate (see NOTE) included in the above section.

C. Cytogenetics

One (1) sodium heparin tube with 1 -3 mL of bone marrow aspirate (see NOTE) included in the above section.

D. Molecular Genetics

Two (2) potassium EDTA lavender-top tubes with 1-3 mL of bone marrow aspirate (see NOTE) included in the above section.

NOTE: Two (2) sodium heparin tubes are optimal if both flow cytometry and cytogenetic studies are requested. One (1) tube is acceptable if the collection is minimal. PLEASE CLEARLY INDICATE THAT ONLY ONE TUBE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED.

Special packaging and request forms are supplied along with each transport kit. If you have any questions regarding collection, processing, or transport, please call GML Client Services at 1-800-695-6491.

Bone marrow specimen collection instructions (video)

Revised: 4/29/2021

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