Collection Instructions

Specimen Collection: Blood

Container(s): 4.0 mL Green Top Lithium Heparin Non-Gel 

Preferred Volume to Collect: 4 mL

Capillary collect ok? No

Microtainer acceptable: No

Collection Instructions:

Platelet Mapping Assay: 

Assesses platelet function with or without the effect of anti-platelet drugs.

Venipuncture:

• Use a 21-gauge needle or larger - a 21-gauge butterfly with tubing is OK.  Never use a smaller gauge needle.
• Draw a discard tube (no additive or light-blue top marked “discard”) or discard syringe of 3-5 ml prior to collecting blood for TEG^® analysis - required.
• Completely fill a Lithium Heparin Non-Gel Green Top BD tube. 
• Immediately gently invert the tube 5 times.

Arterial Line or Central Line:

Draw per the population appropriate Central Venous Catheter (CVC): Insertion, Maintenance, Utilization and Removal policy or Arterial Line: Insertion, Maintenance, Obtaining Samples, and Removal Policies.

• Key Points:
  • Do not use heparinized syringes.
  • If closed blood sampling system is not in use, draw a discard tube (no additive or light-blue top marked “discard”) or discard syringe of 3-5 ml prior to collecting blood for TEG^® analysis – required.

  • The amount of waste required is:

    • Adult- 5ml
    • Pediatric- 4ml
    • Neonatal- 2ml
  • Completely fill a Lithium Heparin Non-Gel Green Top tube.
  • Immediately gently invert the tube 5 times.

Specimen Transport:

• Walk all TEG specimens to the Blood Bank. 
• Do not use the pneumatic tube system.

When Collecting for Both Assays (Global Hemostasis & Platelet Mapping) draw order:

• 3.2% Sodium Citrate light-blue top tube marked discard (if from arterial line or central line closed blood sampling system is in use-skip this step).
• 3.2% Sodium Citrate light-blue top tube.
• Lithium Heparin Non-Gel Green top tube.

If there are questions regarding ordering and/or collection, please contact the Lab Call Center. If there are questions regarding interpretation please contact Dr. Peter Millward, Associate Medical Director, Blood Bank, or the Clinical Pathologist on call.