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Referring Clinical Specimens to PHEL

General requirements pertaining to all specimens submitted to PHLS for testing is that:

  1. Specimens must be properly labeled and not have other discrepancies between the requisition form and the specimen container, or they may be rejected.
  2. Specimen containers damaged during transport will be rejected.
  3. Specimens collected after the collection kit has expired will be rejected

If you have questions about submitting a specimen for testing, you may email phel.specimenreceiving@doh.nj.gov or call (609) 718-8362.

Newborn Screening Specimens (Dried Blood Spots)

The Newborn Screening laboratory is mandated to test all newborns in New Jersey for 54 different inheritable disorders. More about the Newborn Screening Program

How to Collect and Submit Dried Blood Spots for Newborn Screening

Isolates/Specimens for Surveillance/Outbreak Investigations

Clinical laboratory directors (or designees) are required by law to submit specific organisms/specimens for testing to PHEL.

Please see PHEL's guidance on Reportable Diseases for additional information on what organisms to submit and required timeframes.

Bacterial isolates matching ASM/CDC Sentinel Laboratory Guidelines rule-in criteria for the following

The Communicable Disease Service must be contacted by phone 609-826-5964 or 609-392-2020 (after hours) for approval to submit:

  • Bacillus anthracis
  • Brucella spp.
  • Franciscella tularensis
  • Burkholderia mallei
  • Burkholderia pseudomallei

BioThreat Response Laboratory
Packaging and Shipping Infectious Substances Page

CDS Specimen Requests

The NJDOH Communicable Disease Service may request cultures or clinical specimens from healthcare facilities for testing other organisms on a case-by-case basis.

Please refer to the current PHEL Test Compendium for specimen/isolate handling, storage, shipping guidance. 

Physician Requests

Physicians may request testing for other organisms on a case by case basis.

For specimen/isolate handling, storage, shipping guidance, and for inquiries regarding the availability of testing at PHEL, CDC, or other Public Health Laboratories, please refer to the current PHEL Test Compendium

If the organism you require testing for is not listed, please contact phel.specimenreceiving@doh.nj.gov to discuss forwarding specimens to a reference laboratory.

For questions regarding reportable communicable diseases, contact the Communicable Disease Service at 609-826-5964 Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM.

If questions pertain to Tuberculosis Please refer to NJ's Tuberculosis Control Program

If questions pertain to Sexually Transmitted Diseases please refer to STD Reporting

If questions pertain to HIV/AIDS please refer to NJ's HIV Services