Specimen Requirements

Preferred Collection Container: 

SST (Serum Separator)

Also Acceptable Collection Container: 

Red (No Additive)

Collection Information: 

Collect blood in a serum separator tube. (Serum red top also acceptable).

Transport Information: 

Allow blood to clot at room temperature. Centrifuge and aliquot 1.5 mL of serum to a plastic transport vial. Send refrigerated.

Minimum Sample Volume: 

1.0 mL of serum (approximately 2.0 mL of whole blood based upon a normal patient hematocrit)

Remarks: 

ANA samples are screened at a titer of 1:80. All samples that are positive are titered and the titer and pattern will be reported. All positives include a Pathologist's interpretation.

Unacceptable Conditions: 

Plasma, gross hemolysis, icterus, lipemia, bacterial growth.