Specimen Requirements

Preferred:   Plasma

Draw blood in a light green-top (lithium heparin gel) tube(s). (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down, separate plasma from cells within 2 hours of draw, and send 1 mL of lithium heparin plasma refrigerated.

Note:  Label specimen as “plasma”.

Alternate:   Serum

Draw blood in a plain, red-top tube(s) or a serum gel tube(s). (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down, separate serum from cells within 2 hours of draw, and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.

Note:  Label specimen as “serum”

Note:  Do not use alcohol prep to cleanse skin. Cleanse skin using a benzalkonium chloride wipe.