Specimen Requirements

Preferred Collection Container: 

Light Green (Lithium Heparin Plasma Separator Tube)
SST (Serum Separator)

Also Acceptable Collection Container: 

Green No Gel (Lithium Heparin)
Red (No Additive)

Collection Information: 

Collect blood in a Light Green (Lithium Heparin Plasma Separator Tube) or SST (Serum Separator). Green No Gel (Lithium Heparin) or Red (No Additive) are also acceptable.

Transport Information: 

Centrifuge and aliquot 0.6 mL of plasma or serum into a plastic transport vial. Send refrigerated. 

Minimum Sample Volume: 

0.2 mL plasma or serum (approximately 0.4 mL of whole blood based upon a normal patient hematocrit)

Remarks: 

Remove serum/plasma from cells ASAP.  EDTA plasma is acceptable but will not route in Sunquest information system.

Unacceptable Conditions: 

Gross lipemia

Stability Comments: 

Avoid freeze/thaw cycles.