Specimen Requirements

Preparation of Patient:

None

Container Type:

Lithium Heparin Green Top Gel Tube on Ice Slurry

LIS Container Code = GI

Specimen Type:

Heparinized Plasma

Specimen Volume:

2mL Heparinized Plasma minimum .3mL Heparinized Plasma

Specimen Handling/Transport:  

1. Immediately after collection place specimen in an ice water slurry (mostly ice with some water).
2. Immediately transport to the laboratory for processing
3. Specimen must be spun in a refrigerated centrifuge (NO EXCEPTIONS) within 20 minutes of collection, separating the plasma from cells.  Once spun down, a green top tube with a gel barrier is considered separated from the cells.
4. Immediately deliver sample to Chemistry for analysis.  Keep specimen capped at all times to avoid exposure to atmosphere.

Specimen Stability/Storage:

Plasma must be separated from cells within 20 minutes than 3 hours at 2 – 8 °C.