Specimen Requirements

Unspun specimen must arrive within 1 hour of
draw.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

VACUTAINER® Method

Container/Tube: 2.7 mL or 1.8 mL light
blue-top (citrate) tube

Specimen Volume: Full tube sodium citrated
whole blood

Collection Instructions: Mix well by
inversion.
Note:   1.) When drawing by VACUTAINER®,
light-blue top (citrate) tube must be the second or third tube
drawn. If only a coagulation test is being obtained, draw a discard
tube first before drawing light blue-top (citrate) tube.

2.) Once sample is drawn, tube must be quickly inverted three or
four times to mix. Mixing should never be so vigorous as to cause
frothing – proper mixing can be accomplished by gentle
inversion.

Syringe Method
To prevent tissue fluid contamination, use the “Two Syringe
Technique” as follows:

Container/Tube: Syringe with needle removed

Specimen Volume: 2.7 mL or 1.8 mL citrate whole
blood

Collection Instructions:  Draw the first
syringe and discard. Draw second syringe, transfer to a
light blue-top (citrate) tube, and send citrate whole blood.

Note: The Vacutainer should be allowed to fill from the
syring/needle through the stopper. Do not squirt or force the blood
into Vacutainer tube from syringe.