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.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Serum

Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube(s). Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated. For theophylline SR tabs, trough specimen is usually drawn just prior to next oral dose; and peak specimen is usually drawn 4 hours after dose. For theophylline continuous infusion, trough specimen is usually drawn 24 hours after start of maintenance infusion; and peak specimen is usually drawn at 1/2 hour and 8 hours after loading dose and start of continuous infusion.

Note:  1. Date and time of draw is required on request form and specimen for processing.

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

3. Indicate serum on request form.

4. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

Alternate: Preferred for Siemens Users

Plasma

Draw blood in a mint green-top (heparin) gel tube(s). Spin down and send 1 mL of heparinized plasma refrigerated. For theophylline SR tabs, trough specimen is usually drawn just prior to next oral dose; and peak specimen is usually drawn 4 hours after dose. For theophylline continuous infusion, trough specimen is usually drawn 24 hours after start of maintenance infusion; and peak specimen is usually drawn at 1/2 hour and 8 hours after loading dose and start of continuous infusion.

Note:  1. Date and time of draw is required on request form and specimen for processing.

2. Indicate plasma on request form.

3. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Specimen Stability Information