Specimen Requirements

EDTA Whole Blood for CBC
Specimen must arrive within 24 hours of draw.

Draw blood in a lavender-top (EDTA) tube(s), and send 5 mL of unprocessed EDTA whole blood refrigerated. Do not centrifuge. Forward unprocessed whole blood promptly.

Note:  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. (Plasma gel tube is not acceptable.) 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.
Note:  1. 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.
2. All specimens must be completely labeled in accordance with the American Association of Blood Banks’ (AABB) requirements.

3. If specimen is spun down, label appropriately (plasma) and send along with RBCs.

4. 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.
Note:  1. The following specimens will not be tested:
A. Heat-treated specimen
B. Hemolyzed specimen
C. Heparinized specimen
D. Lipemic specimen
E. Specimen containing particulate matter
F. Specimen containing precipitate
G. Specimen containing sodium azide

2. Draw date is required on request form for processing.

3. Include patient’s age on request form.

4. Label specimen appropriately (serum for HBsAg, RPR, and rubella).