Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Acceptable Specimens:

Arterial, capillary, or venous blood or arterial or venous cord blood

Preferred:

Heparinized Syringe

Draw 2 mL of blood in a 3-mL heparinized syringe or a minimum of 0.5 mL of blood in a 1-mL heparinized syringe. Expel any air bubbles. Cap syringe and mix by rolling syringe between palms for 15 seconds. Place specimen on ice and forward promptly to laboratory.

Note:  1. Indicate arterial or venous blood or arterial or venous cord blood on request form.

2. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of draw, and type of specimen (arterial or venous blood or arterial or venous cord blood).

Alternate:

VACUTAINER®

Draw a full, green-top (heparin) tube. Mix by gently inverting 8 times. Place specimen on ice and forward promptly to laboratory.

Note:  1. Indicate arterial or venous blood on request form.

2. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of draw, and type of specimen (arterial or venous blood).

Capillary Tube

Collect blood in a capillary tube. Tube must be full. Mix by rolling capillary tube between palms for 15 seconds. Place specimen on ice and forward promptly to laboratory.

Note:  1. Indicate capillary blood on request form.

2. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of draw, and type of specimen (capillary blood).