Specimen Requirements
Minimum of 1.0 mL serum.
Supplies for Submission
SST/Gold Top (1)
Specimen Collection
- Label serum separator tube (SST) with two identifiers. Acceptable identifiers include patient’s name, date of birth, social security number, requisition number, and medical record number.
- Allow SST contents to clot in an upright position for at least 30 minutes.
- Centrifuge within 2 hours of collection and refrigerate.
Storage Requirements
Refrigerated.
After separation from cells, specimens are stable if stored at room temperature for 2 days, refrigerated for 2 weeks, or frozen for 1 year.
Causes for Rejections
Specimens with the following conditions are not accepted:
- hemolysis
- lipemia
- contaminated
- plasma
- heat-inactivated
- multiple freeze/thaw cycles