Specimen Requirements

Specimen must be delivered to lab within 30 minutes of draw. Keep specimen on ice.

1. Draw blood in a light green-top (lithium heparin) plasma gel tube. When drawing the specimen, allow the tube to fill completely.

2. Free-flowing ammonia levels require that the tourniquet be released as soon as possible once the needle has been inserted into patient’s vein. All draws must be venous, even neonates.

Hemolyzed or lipemic specimen is not acceptable.

3. Invert tube several times to mix blood and place in crushed ice immediately after draw.

4. Transport specimen directly to the laboratory on wet ice.

5. Centrifuge immediately upon receipt in the lab. Sample may then  be stored on ice or in the refrigerator for up to two (2) hours

6. Specimen may be frozen for up to 24 hours.

7. Label specimen with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of draw, and phlebotomist’s initials.

Specimen Stability:

1.5 hours at 2 - 8°C

 24 hours at ≤ -20°C

Minimum Volume:   1 mL