One 4 mL lavender top tube (EDTA) AND one 7.5 mL serum separator tube (SST).
Handling:
Allow SST to clot and centrifuge within 2 hours of collection. Separate serum and transfer to a plastic vial. Refrigerate. Transport specimens within 12 hours of collection.
Stability:
Specimens may be tested up to 24 hours after collection. Studies show that a small number (<5%) of abnormal ESR's tested 16 hours or more after collection will correct to within the normal range.
Standard Volume:
3 mL EDTA whole blood and 3 mL serum.
Minimum Volume:
1.5 EDTA whole blood and 1.5 mL serum.
Transport:
Refrigerated.
Rejection Criteria:
Specimen age; frozen specimen; gross hemolysis or gross lipemia.