Specimen Requirements

Collection Instructions:

1. Serum and Plasma gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and aliquoted within 2 hours of collection.

Pediatrics

Draw a full, green-top (heparin) Capiject® tube. (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send heparinized plasma refrigerated if transport is required.

Note:  1. Indicate plasma on request form.

2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Adults

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Serum

Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube(s). (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.

Note: 

1.A speckled-top serum gel tube (s) or a plain, red-top tube(s) is also acceptable.

2. Indicate serum on request form.

3. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

Alternate: 

Plasma

Draw blood in a mint green-top (heparin) gel tube(s). (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 1 mL of heparinized plasma refrigerated.

Note:  1. Indicate plasma on request form.

2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Sample Stability Information:

Sodium and Potassium stable 14 days at room temperature; 14 days refrigerated

Chloride stable 7 days room temperature; 14 days refrigerated

Stable Frozen