Instructions/Special Handling

Please draw two (2) blue sodium citrate tubes

See Coagulation Guidelines for Specimen Handling and Processing in Special Instructions.

Specimen Type: Platelet-poor plasma

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

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Within 4 hours of collection, centrifuge, transfer all plasma into a plastic vial, and centrifuge plasma again. Aliquot plasma into separate plastic vial leaving 0.25 mL in the bottom of centrifuged vial.

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

Additional Information:

1. 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.