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PT/INR
MessageCollect a full tube to the fill line. Do not over or underfill tubes
Immediate Specimen Processing: Gently invert the tube 3 or 4 times immediately after venipuncture to ensure proper mixing of blood and anticoagulant
Ambulatory Transport Temperature to Inova Central Lab: Ambient
Specimen Stability: 24 hours (ICL/Outpatient)
Immediate Specimen Processing: Gently invert the tube 3 or 4 times immediately after venipuncture to ensure proper mixing of blood and anticoagulant
Ambulatory Transport Temperature to Inova Central Lab: Ambient
Specimen Stability: 24 hours (ICL/Outpatient)
Test Code
PT
Alias/See Also
HC PROTHROMBIN TIME
CPT Codes
85610
Includes
H3050063
Minimum Volume
Authorized Lab: Inova Central Lab | Shared Containers With: Within section code only | Containers: Light Blue - Citrate
Transport Container
Processing Instructions:
If testing will be delayed (4 hours for inpatient or 24 hours for outpatient), centrifuge, transfer all plasma into a plastic vial, and centrifuge plasma again. Aliquot plasma into separate plastic vial leaving 0.25 mL in the bottom of centrifuged vial. Freeze plasma immediately (no longer than 4 hours after collection) at -20° C.
Platelet Poor Plasma Instructions
Minimum Testing Volume:
1 mL (plasma)
Transport Temperature:
Ambient
Stability:
Plasma
Ambient: 8 hours (Inpatient); 24 hours (ICL/Outpatient)
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen (-20*C): 2 weeks
Frozen (-70* C): 6 months
Whole Blood
Ambient: 24 hours (ICL/Outpatient)
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable
Causes for Rejection:
Specimens submitted refrigerated or greater than 8 hours after collection at room temperature, are short draws, clotted or have excessive hemolysis, icterus or lipemia.
ICL Specimen Team Only: Ambient whole blood is acceptable if received in lab within 24 hours. Ambient plasma is acceptable if received in lab within 24 hours. Do not reject.
If testing will be delayed (4 hours for inpatient or 24 hours for outpatient), centrifuge, transfer all plasma into a plastic vial, and centrifuge plasma again. Aliquot plasma into separate plastic vial leaving 0.25 mL in the bottom of centrifuged vial. Freeze plasma immediately (no longer than 4 hours after collection) at -20° C.
Platelet Poor Plasma Instructions
Minimum Testing Volume:
1 mL (plasma)
Transport Temperature:
Ambient
Stability:
Plasma
Ambient: 8 hours (Inpatient); 24 hours (ICL/Outpatient)
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen (-20*C): 2 weeks
Frozen (-70* C): 6 months
Whole Blood
Ambient: 24 hours (ICL/Outpatient)
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable
Causes for Rejection:
Specimens submitted refrigerated or greater than 8 hours after collection at room temperature, are short draws, clotted or have excessive hemolysis, icterus or lipemia.
ICL Specimen Team Only: Ambient whole blood is acceptable if received in lab within 24 hours. Ambient plasma is acceptable if received in lab within 24 hours. Do not reject.
Limitations
STAT 2-Hours|Routine 8-Hours|Timed 2-Hours|STAT 40-Minutes|Routine 2-Hours|Timed 1-Hours
Last Updated: April 7, 2026