Specimen Requirements

All specimens are required for this test:

EDTA Whole Blood for CBC

• Specimen must arrive within 24 hours of draw.
• Draw blood in a lavender-top (EDTA) tube(s)
• Send 5 mL of unprocessed EDTA whole blood refrigerated. 
• Do not centrifuge.
• Forward unprocessed whole blood promptly.
• Label specimen appropriately (blood for CBC).

EDTA Whole Blood for Type and Screen

• Draw a full, lavender-top (EDTA) tube, and send 9 mL of unprocessed EDTA whole blood refrigerated.
• Do not centrifuge.
• Forward unprocessed whole blood promptly. If there is a delay in transport of ≥6 hours, spin down and send plasma and RBCs refrigerated.
• If specimen being drawn may result in a transfusion, patient must be wearing an identification bracelet. A Typenex® (Fenwal) identification band must be completed and placed on patient’s left wrist at time of draw.
• All specimens must be completely labeled in accordance with the American Association of Blood Banks’ (AABB) requirements.
• If specimen is spun down, label appropriately (plasma) and send along with RBCs.
• Label specimen appropriately (blood for type and screen).

Serum for HBsAg, RPR and Rubella

• Draw blood in a serum gel tube(s).
• Spin down and send 1 mL of serum frozen in plastic vial in each of three vials; one aliquot for each requested test.
• Draw date is required on request form for processing.
• Include patient’s age on request form.
• Label specimen appropriately (serum for HBsAg, RPR and Rubella).