One 4.5 light blue top tube (sodium citrate). Collect by careful venipuncture to avoid tissue contamination or hemolysis. Do not use needles smaller than 23 gauge. Fill to maximum draw, at least 90% full. Mix by gentle inversion. Call PeaceHealth Laboratoires Special Coagulation Department (541.687.2134 x4612) when urgent testing is needed in order to assure STAT testing.
Handling:
Due to short stability, specimen must either be sent STAT to arrive in laboratory within 4 hours, or sent frozen. For STAT, refrigerate and keep capped in original tube. Call for STAT pick-up. For standard delivery, centrifuge to produce platelet poor plasma (at least 1700 X G for 15 minutes), and using a plastic pipette, transfer the top 2/3 of the plasma into a plastic vial. Label with patient name, I.D. number, test, and “citrated plasma.” Freeze immediately. Send to PeaceHealth Laboratories within 7 days. If multiple tests are ordered, freeze a separate aliquot for this test.
Stability:
4 hours ambient or refrigerated, or 7 days frozen.
Standard Volume:
4.5 mL whole blood or 1 mL plasma.
Minimum Volume:
1.8 mL whole blood or 0.5 mL plasma.
Transport:
Original tubes refrigerated if STAT, or plasma frozen on dry ice in a Styrofoam container.
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