Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Whole blood

Container/Tube: Blue top (sodium
citrate)

Specimen Volume: Full tube (4.5 mL)

Collection Instructions:

1. Tube must be filled to minimum indicator line on tube.

2. Gently invert 5 to 10 times to mix blood. Do
not centrifuge.

3. Place on wet ice immediately.

4. Causes for rejection include tube <75% full and
clotted specimen.

Laboratory Processing Instructions:

1. Spin down, remove plasma, and spin plasma
again to obtain platelet poor plasma.

2. Separate platelet poor plasma into separate screw top
vials.

3. Freeze plasma immediately.