Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred

Plasma

Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube. For pediatric specimens, collect 2 green-top MICROTAINER® tubes. Label the specimen with the patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of draw and the phlebotomist’s initials. Spin down and send 1 mL of lithium heparin plasma refrigerated.

Alternate

Serum

Draw blood in a gold-top (serum separator) gel tube. For pediatric specimens, draw blood in a red-top MICROTAINER(S)®. Label the specimen with the patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of draw, phlebotomist’s initials, and as serum. Allow blood to clot completely. Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.

Do not use samples that have been stored at room temperature for longer than eight (8) hours.

Specimen stablity:

8 hours at room temperature when spun

2 days at 2-8°C

Freeze at ≤ -20°C for longer storage

Minimum volume:

1 mL

Specimen rejection criteria: 

Hemolyzed specimens are not acceptable.