Specimen Requirements
Minimum of 0.5 mL frozen plasma
Supplies for Submission
Protease Inhibitor Tube (1)
Specimen Collection
DO NOT use direct phlebotomy with a needle/tube holder assembly.
If necessary, obtain a protease inhibitor tube by contacting Clinical Pathology Labs (CPL) in Austin.
- Collect whole blood in a protease inhibitor tube, using a winged collection set ( butterfly tubing).
- Mix tube contents thoroughly.
- Centrifuge within 1 hour of collection to separate cells from plasma.
- 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 sample from protease inhibitor tube. - Transfer plasma to the tube and freeze - send this aliquot separately when multiple tests are ordered.
Storage Requirements
Critical Frozen (CFZ)
After separation from cells, specimens are stable if refrigerated for 2 days or frozen for 3 months.