Collection Instructions

Detailed Instructions: Coagulation Citrate Tube General Draw 

Specimen Collection: Blood

Container(s): Blue top (3.2% Na. Citrate)

Preferred Volume to Collect: 2.7 mL (Full Tube)

Minimum Volume to Collect: 1.8 mL (Full Tube)

Neonate Volume to Collect: 1.8 mL (Full Tube)

Capillary collect ok? No

Microtainer acceptable: No

Collection Instructions:

• Detailed Instructions: Coagulation Citrate Tube General Draw 

Global Hemostasis Assay:

• Provides a complete picture of a patient’s hemostasis status with a functional measurement of clotting factors, platelets, fibrinogen.

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 3.2% Sodium Citrate Light Blue 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 3.2% Sodium Citrate Light Blue Top tube (2.7 ml or 1.8 mL)
• Immediately gently invert the tube 5 times.

Specimen Transport:

• Walk all TEG specimens to the Blood Bank and clarify to the recipient that the item is a TEG
• Do not use the pneumatic tube system.

When Collecting for Both Assays (Global Hemostasis with Lysis & 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, Medical Director of Point of Care or the Clinical Pathologist on call.