Specimen Requirements
Minimum of 1.0 mL whole blood
Supplies for Submission
Green Top Sodium heparin (1); alternately Green Top Lithium heparin (1)
Specimen Collection
- 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 sodium or lithium heparin whole blood.
- Transfer plasma to the tube and freeze - send this aliquot separately when multiple tests are ordered.
Storage Requirements
Critical Frozen (CFZ).
Specimens are stable if frozen for 6 months.
Causes for Rejections
Specimens with the following conditions are not accepted:
- room temperature
- refrigerated
- frozen in glass tubes