Specimen Collection and Handling

BLUE TOP TUBES:

Collect specimen as follows:

1. Draw blood in 3 light blue-top (3.2% sodium citrate) tube(s). Tube(s) must be full upon collection.

2. Separate plasma from cells within 4 hours of collection in a centrifuge at 2,500 rpm for 15 minutes or 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes.

3. Using a plastic transfer pipette (do not use a glass pipette) decant the plasma to a screw-capped, plastic (polypropylene) vial. Glass vials will not be accepted.

4. Spin the plasma again at 2,500 rpm for 15 minutes or 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes.

Note: Double spinning the specimen ensures platelet poor plasma (<10,000 uL)

5. Divide the plasma into as many 0.5-1.0 mL aliquots as possible and cap the vial(s) tightly.

6. Place tubes upright and freeze specimen(s) immediately at ≤ – 20º C.

7. Send specimen(s) FROZEN on dry ice.

Patients with a Hematocrit >55% will require recollection in a citrate-adjusted tube.

Coagulation Double Spin Process

Click here to view the Procedure for Collecting a Specimen from an A-line

LAVENDER TOP TUBE:

1. Mix well, and send a minimum of 1mL of EDTA whole blood refrigerated.

2. To be used for a hematocrit that is run at no charge and will be non-reportable.

3. To be tested to rule out abnormal results due to a high hematocrit (> 55%).

4. If a high hematocrit is detected the client will be contacted to determine the need for a recollect in properly adjusted blue top tubes. A coagulation pathologist will assess this need with the client.

SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE:

1. Spin specimen, separate from clot within 2 hours and send refrigerated in a screw-capped, plastic vial.

2. If specimen will not arrive within 2 days of draw, send specimen FROZEN in a plastic vial on dry ice.