Specimen Requirements

Draw blood in a green-top (lithium or sodium heparin) tube labeled with the patients information and time of collection. Specimen must be received in the laboratory within 30 minutes of collection. Placing the specimen on ice is acceptable but not necessary if delivered in a timely fashion. Specimen must be free of excess air and the tube must be full.  

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

Minimum volume:  3.0 mL

Specimen stability:  30 minutes