Specimen Required

Patient Preparation:

Fasting: 8 hours, preferred but not required

Collection Container/Tube: Light-blue top (citrate)

Submission Container/Tube: Polypropylene plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. For complete instructions see Coagulation Guidelines for Specimen Handling and Processing

2. Centrifuge, transfer all plasma into a plastic vial, and centrifuge plasma again.

3. Aliquot plasma into a separate plastic vial leaving 0.25 mL in the bottom of the centrifuged vial.

4. Freeze plasma immediately (no longer than 4 hours after collection) at -20° C or, ideally, at -40° C or below.

Additional Information:

1. A double-centrifuged specimen is critical for accurate results as platelet contamination may cause spurious results.

2. Each coagulation assay requested should have its own vial.

3. If priority specimen, mark request form, give reason, and request a call-back.