Specimen Requirements

Preparation of Patient: 

None

Container Type:

Light Blue Top 3.2% Sodium Citrate Tube 4.5 mL, 3.0 mL, 2.7 mL, 2.0 mL, or 1.8 mL

Specimen Type:

Plasma platelet poor

Specimen Volume:

Fill tube completely.  Less than 90% filled tubes will be rejected.

Special Instructions:

For patients who are difficult access, < 1 year, and/or have a hematocrit > 55.9%; special tubes with an adjusted amount of anticoagulant can be prepared to allow for proper blood/anticoagulant ratio for accurate testing.  Call the Hematology lab at 231-935-6118 to request special tube.

Specimen Handling/Transport:

Do not centrifuge.  Do not refrigerate.  Deliver to laboratory immediately.

Transport ambient room temperature.

Special Instructions: 

If a specimen cannot be tested within 8 hours of draw, plasma should be removed from the cells and preserved as follows: Spin in a centrifuge verified for platelet-poor plasma preparation, remove plasma to a plastic tube, spin the plasma a second time, then remove plasma to a screw-top plastic  tube and freeze immediately at -20° C. Transport frozen.

Specimen Storage/Stability:

Whole blood ambient room temperature 8 hours. 

Double spun plasma aliquot ambient room temperature 24 hours.

Double spun plasma aliquot frozen -20° C 4 months.

Specimen Rejection:

Less than 90% filled tubes

Hemolysis

Clotted