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 as soon as possible. A maximum limit of eight hours from the time of collection is recommended.

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

Roche Specimen Stability Information