Meconium container from a Meconium chain of custody kit (HCMC) 

1. When collection is anticipated, place non-absorbent diaper liner inside baby’s diaper  (Not required but useful)
2. After meconium is passed, use plastic scoop attached to underside of stool container lid  and place into collection vial
3. Collect all meconium until:
   1. Transitional stool is passed
   2. 2-5 grams of meconium is collected
   3. Baby is discharged home (If specimen is < 5 grams at discharge, send amount collected to the lab)
4. Multiple specimens may be added to vial with each diaper change to reach 5 grams if possible. After each addition, be sure to sign, time and date the chain of custody form.
5. Refrigerate meconium sample (designated secured area) until complete specimen is obtained
6. After meconium is collected, complete the required documentation with baby’s initials, collector’s signature, baby’s MRN and date
7. Affix the signed integrity seal over the top, and down the sides, of the collection vial
8. Place the sealed specimen in a specimen bag with the chain of custody form in the outside pocket
9. Deliver specimen to the laboratory

Meconium vial with seal attached

HCMC Maternal Urine Chain of Custody requested on Allina Health specimens; may be sent without, but document that the request was not obtained.

• Patient name, DOB and MRN
• Date and time of specimen collection
• Name of collector
• Name of person who sealed the container

NOTE: Sample is considered Chain of Custody if it is sealed with a tape across the top of the specimen.

Ambient (preferred) - 72 hours

Refrigerated - 1 week

Frozen - 1 year

Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)

Negative

Medical necessity