Preferred: 5.0 mL Green top with gel (PST), (lithium heparin plasma).
Acceptable: 5.0 mL Red w/gel or Gold SST
5.0 mL Plain red (No gel)
4.0 mL Green (No gel) Lithium heparin
Minimum volume: 0.5mL Serum or Plasma
Specimen Preparation
Separate plasma or serum from cells through centrifugation as soon as possible; transport 1 mL plasma or serum
Pediatric Collection
Pediatric Collection tubes acceptable.
At least 0.5 mL whole blood collected in microtainers, green top with gel (lithium heparin) plasma or SST
Unacceptable Conditions
Hemolyzed specimens
Sample not properly identified
Incorrect container
Insufficient sample volume
Storage/Transport Temperature
Internal: Deliver to lab immediately at ambient temperature. Offsite: Centrifuge within 2 hours of collection. Transport to laboratory at 2-8 degrees C.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Centrifuged within 2 hours.
Room temp: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 3 days
Frozen: Indefinite
Preferred: 5.0 mL Green top with gel (PST), (lithium heparin plasma).
Acceptable: 5.0 mL Red w/gel or Gold SST
5.0 mL Plain red (No gel)
4.0 mL Green (No gel) Lithium heparin
Minimum volume: 0.5mL Serum or Plasma
Specimen Preparation
Separate plasma or serum from cells through centrifugation as soon as possible; transport 1 mL plasma or serum
Pediatric Collection
Pediatric Collection tubes acceptable.
At least 0.5 mL whole blood collected in microtainers, green top with gel (lithium heparin) plasma or SST
Unacceptable Conditions
Hemolyzed specimens
Sample not properly identified
Incorrect container
Insufficient sample volume
Storage/Transport Temperature
Internal: Deliver to lab immediately at ambient temperature. Offsite: Centrifuge within 2 hours of collection. Transport to laboratory at 2-8 degrees C.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Centrifuged within 2 hours.
Room temp: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 3 days
Frozen: Indefinite
