Collection Instructions

Specimen Collection: Blood

Container(s): 

• CHW: 4.5 mL Mint Green Top (Lithium Heparin Gel)
• CHS: 4.5 mL Mint Green Top (Lithium Heparin Gel) or 5.0 mL Gold Top SST

Preferred Volume to Collect: 4.5 mL

Minimum Volume to Collect: 2.0 mL

Neonate Volume to Collect: 1.0 mL

Capillary collect ok? No

Microtainer acceptable: Only from specimen that is drawn from a syringe

Collection Instructions:

• Must be venipuncture specimen (no capillary collection)
• After collection, gently invert tube 8-10 times.
• Specimen should be processed within 2 hours – See Processing Instructions.

Processing Instructions (Laboratory, Outpatient or Off-site collection)

• Processed Specimen: Plasma
• Centrifuge/Spin: Yes
• Aliquot: Yes
• Processing Instructions:
  • Plasma is preferred specimen type
  • Minimum plasma volume: 1.0 mL (0.5 mL plasma for neonate)
  • Green Tube/Plasma: Centrifuge after collection.
  • Gold Tube/Serum (CHS ONLY): Allow blood to clot for 30 minutes in a vertical position and centrifuge within 2 hours. 
• Transport Temperature: Refrigerate