Specimen Requirements

Specimens must be centrifuged and plasma separated from cells within 1 hour of collection.

Specimen Type: Platelet-poor plasma 

Container/Tube:

Fill Blue top tube to the etched line located just below the cap of the tube.

Preferred: Full Light-blue top (3.2% sodium citrate)

Acceptable:  Full Sodium citrate (BD® or Greiner tubes)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Draw level 6 hr after start of infusion and then 6 hours after each change.

2. Unacceptable specimens: Specimens that are short-draws, over-draws, clotted or hemolyzed may yield incorrect results.

3. If sending from a site spin down, remove top 2/3 of plasma, and spin plasma again in a polyproyplene (cloudy plastic) vial.

4. Aliquot top 3/4 and place platelet-poor plasma in a polypropylene (cloudy plastic) vial.

5. Glass vials are not acceptable for processing/transport/storage.

Additional Information:

1. Double-centrifuged specimens are critical for accurate results as platelet contamination may cause spurious results.

2. If there is a delay in transport of >2 hours, send specimen frozen.

3. To monitor Enoxaparin (Lovenox) therapy, draw for peak 4-6 hours post dose.