Specimen Requirements

Note: For specimens collected for expected or potential transfusion, outpatients must be collected at a laboratory location capable of making wristbands.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Container/Tube: Pink-top (EDTA) tube

Specimen Volume: 3 mL of whole blood in pink-top tube

Transport Temperature: Refrigerate
Collection Instructions: 1. Verify patient identity using two identifers prior to collection.

2. Hand label specimen directly from patient’s hospital wristband using indelible black ink. Legibly write the patient’s full name and medical record number, collect date and time, and collector’s initials. Forward promptly.

Alternate:
Container/Tube: Lavender- top (EDTA) tube, 7 ml size - Tall Lavender

Specimen Volume: 3 mL of whole blood in lavender-top tube
Transport Temperature: Refrigerate
Collection Instructions: 1.Verify patient identity using two identifers  prior to collection.

2. Hand label specimen directly from patient’s hospital wristband using indelible black ink. Legibly write the patient’s full name and medical record number, collect date and time, and collector’s initials.  Forward promptly.