Minimum of 4.0 mL frozen plasma, with 1.0 mL in each aliquot, for a total of 4 aliquots.
Supplies for Submission
Light Blue Top (4)
Specimen Collection
Fill up a Light Blue Top tube as completely as possible and mix by gently inverting the tube 5-6 times. Inadequate filling will distort the exact ratio of 1 part sodium citrate to 9 parts blood required for accurate results.
Immediately centrifuge the specimen at 1500 RCF for 15 minutes.
Pipette the supernatant plasma and transfer to a plastic transport tube.
Re-centrifuge plasma in the transport tube at 1500 RCF for 15 minutes to make sure that no red blood cells are present.
Pipette the top two-thirds of the supernatant plasma and transfer ≥1.0 mL to a second transport tube (submit 4 tubes total), labeled with two patient identifiers.
Label aliquot tube as citrate plasma and immediately freeze at -20 °C or lower for transport.
When multiple tests are ordered, send these 4 aliquots separately.
Storage Requirements
Critical Frozen (CFZ)
Causes for Rejections
Specimens stored at room temperature or refrigerated specimens are not accepted.
Turn Around Time
11 days
CPT Code
85613, 85730; if reflex may add 85670, 85635, 85525, 85732, 85613x2, 85598