Specimen Type/Requirements

Specimen Type:  Platelet-poor Plasma

Container/Tube: 3.2% Light Blue (sodium citrate)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: Draw blood in a Lt. blue 3.2% sodium citrate tube, mix gently.  Centrifuge 15 min at 1500 g within 1 hour of collection.  Using plastic pipette, remove plasma, taking care to avoid the WBC/platelet buffy layer and place into a plastic vial.  Centrifuge a second time and transfer platelet-poor plasma into a new plastic vial.  Freeze immediately.

Additional Information:

1. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered.  Specimen must be split and frozen prior to transport.

2. Testing cannot be added on to a previously collected specimen. 

Reject Due To:  Gross hemolysis, thawing.  3.8% light blue (sodium citrate) tube is not acceptable.