Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Serum or plasma should be physically separated from cells as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from the time of collection.

• DO NOT use alcohol prep to cleanse skin. Use a NON-ALCOHOL GERMICIDE to cleanse the skin prior to venipuncture.
• Specimen collection tube MUST be FULL
• Indicate plasma or serum on request form.
• Label specimen appropriately (plasma or serum).
• Send specimen refrigerated.
• Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere.

Plasma

• Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube(s).
• Keep tube capped during centrifugation.
• Spin down and send 1 mL of heparinized plasma in original tube or transfer 1 mL of heparinized plasma to plastic vial.
• Cap tightly.

Serum

• Draw blood in a plain, red-top tube(s) or a serum gel tube(s).
• Keep tube capped during centrifugation.
• Spin down and send 1 mL of serum in original tube or transfer 1 mL of serum to plastic vial. 
• Cap tightly.