Specimen Requirements
Minimum of 1.0 mL plasma
Supplies for Submission
Green Top Sodium heparin (1); alternately Green Top Lithium heparin (1)
Specimen Collection
Protect sample from light during collection, storage, and transport.
- Place sample in ice bath immediately after collection.
- Centrifuge within 1 hour of collection and separate plasma from cells.
- Label a plastic transport tube with two identifiers. Acceptable identifiers include patient’s name, date of birth, social security number, requisition number, and medical record number.
Label the tube as heparin plasma.
- Transfer plasma to the tube and freeze - send this aliquot separately when multiple tests are ordered.
Storage Requirements
Critical Frozen (CFZ)