Specimen Requirements

Preferred:

Plasma

Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube(s) from a fasting patient (8 hour preferred). For pediatric specimen, draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) MICROTAINER(S)®. (Hemolyzed or lipemic specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 2 mL of lithium heparin plasma in original VACUTAINER(S)® refrigerated. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere. (Do not transfer or open tube.)

Note:  1. Indicate plasma on request form.

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

Alternate:

Serum

Draw blood in a serum gel tube(s) from a fasting patient (8 hour preferred). (Hemolyzed or lipemic specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 2 mL of serum in original VACUTAINER(S)® refrigerated. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere. (Do not transfer or open tube.)

Note:  1. Glucose will drop 5.0 mg/dL to 10 mg/dL per hour in an unseparated, ambient serum gel tube.

2. Indicate serum of request form.

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