Instructions for Collection and Transport

Fill tube to stated capacity. Do not underfill or overfill past tube’s vacuum capacity. If the patient’s known hematocrit value is above 55%, an adjustment of the ratio of anticoagulant to blood is necessary. Call the laboratory for a special collection tube for that hematocrit value.

Offsite Locations: Centrifuge blood specimens at a time and speed to consistently acheive platelet-poor plasma< 10,000.  Aliquot plasma into a plastic vial.  Freeze plasma and transport on dry ice.

NOTE:It is important to have platelet poor plasma before freezing. The platelet count on the aliquoted plasma should be <10,000.This test CANNOT be added to specimens greater than 4 hours old.

Home Health Agencies: Transport to lab within 30 minutes.