Specimen Requriements

Specimens cannot be transported via pneumatic tube due to platelet sensitivty. All samples must be hand delivered to the laboratory immediately after collection.  Specimen is stable for 4 hours at ambient temperature.

Container/Tube: Greiner Bio-One Vacuette tube, 3.2% Sodium Citrate  (special blue top tube stored in the Hematology section of the main laboratory).

Specimen Volume:  2.0 mL

Transport Temperature:  Ambient

Collection Instructions:

Venipuncture collection:

1. Obtain tube from Hematology in main laboratory

2. Always collect and discard 4.5 mL whole blood in a blue top tube prior to specimen collection.

3. Fill Greiner Bio-One Vacuette tube to the black arrow. Do not overfill or underfill.

4. Mix by inversion at least 5 times.

5. HAND DELIVER the tube to the main laboratory. Do not transport via pneumatic tube. Keep sample at room temperature. Do not refrgerate, freeze, or centrifuge.

Indwelling catheter collection:

1. Prior to specimen collection, withdraw approximately 5 mL whole blood to clear the indwelling line.

2. Inspect line to assure it is free of clots.

3. Collect blood using either a syringe or vacutainer system, filling the Greiner Bio-One Vacuette tube to the black arrow. Do not overfill or underfill.

When using a syringe, blood must be transferred immediately into the Greiner Bio-One Vacuette tube.

4. Immediately and gently invert the tube at least 5 times to thoroughly mist blood with the anticoagulant and prevent clotting.

5. HAND DELIVER the tube to the main laboratory. Do not transport via pneumatic tube. Keep sample at room temperature. Do not refrgerate, freeze, or centrifuge.