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.

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 (Preferred for VWH Lab): 

Plasma

Draw blood in a mint green-top (heparin) gel tube(s). Spin down and send 1 mL of heparinized plasma refrigerated.

Note:  

1. Indicate plasma on request form.

2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

VWH Lab:

3. Tubes of blood are to be kept closed at all times and in a vertical position. It is recommended that the serum or plasma be physically separated from contact with cells within two hours from the time of collection.

4. Separated serum or plasma should not remain at room temperature longer than 8 hours. If assays are not completed within 8 hours, serum or plasma should be stored at +2°C to +8°C. Refrigerated specimens are stable for 48 hrs. 

If only a glucose test is ordered and no other tests:

Preferred:

Draw blood in a  grey-top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride) tube. Send whole blood.
Note:  1.  Label specimens appropriately to indicate specimen timing.

Roche Specimen Stability Information

SODIUM FLUORIDE TUBE IS STABLE FOR 3 DAYS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE