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Specimen Requirements
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*Results may be affected by Coumadin. Patient should be off Coumadin for at least 2 weeks.
3 mL platelet-poor citrated plasma (light blue 3.2% sodium citrate tube). Freeze plasma within 4 hours of collection in 1 mL aliquots.
Transport frozen.
Minimum volume 2 mL.
Coagulation Drawing Instructions:
- When drawing coagulation tests, always draw a "pilot" tube (7-10 mL plain red top tube, completely filled). This removes tissue fluid contamination, discard pilot tube.
- Draw blood in a light blue (3.2% sodium citrate) top tube. Fill tubes as far as vacuum will fill and mix gently. Ratio of anticoagulant and blood must be maintained. Avoid slow flowing draws and traumatic venipunctures.
- Spin vacutainer – remove plasma avoiding platelet/buffy layer – spin plasma again – remove top portion of plasma and place 1 mL of PLATELET-POOR PLASMA in plastic tube. (Glass tube unacceptable)
- Double-centrifugation is critical for accurate results as platelet contamination may cause erroneous results.
- Plasma must be frozen within 4 hours of collection.
- CRITICAL WARNING: Specimen must remain frozen until testing. Submit separate aliquots when multiple tests are ordered on same patient specimen.
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