Nurse Driven Heparin Protocol

Message
The below tests are only for the NDHP (Nurse driven heparin protocol) being piloted in West Roxbury. Test is ordered Ward Collect via a special menu in CPRS and cannot be added on to samples already in the Lab.


Test Code
NURSE PTT, NURSE ANTI XA


Alias/See Also
Hematology


Preferred Specimen
Light Blue Top Tube – 3.2% sodium citrate


Transport Temperature
Best stored at room temp. Cold temps may lead to a gradual loss of VFW and Factor VIII activity. Do not transport directly on ice packs or on ice.


Specimen Stability
Nurse PTT:
Whole Blood

Patients on unfractionated heparin – deliver to laboratory ASAP
 Room temperature: 1 hour
Patients on direct oral anticoagulants
 Room temperature: 2 hours
Patients on heparin other than unfractionated/direct oral anticoagulants
 Room temperature: 6 hours

Nurse Anti-XA
Whole Blood

Room temperature: 1 hour – bring to laboratory ASAP
Aliquoted plasma 
Room temperature: 1 hour
 


Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Underdrawn or grossly hemolyzed specimens are not acceptable.


Methodology
Photo-optical endpoint

Setup Schedule
Daily


Report Available
TAT 1 day


Reference Range
Nurse PTT
27.9 – 37.0 sec
Therapeutic heparinized range: 55.0 - 94.0 sec
Nurse Anti-Xa
0.3-0.7 IU/mL


 


Performing Laboratory
Test performed in the WX Hematology Lab
Contact West Roxbury: Nolan Raymond 857-203-5980


Last Updated: September 19, 2025


The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.