SPECIAL COAGULATION SPECIMEN PROCESSING

11111

See individual tests of the profile for further information

Use standard venipuncture and disposal techniques.

If unable to process specimens within 4 hours of collection then call CompuNet transportation for a STAT pick-up at (937) 297-8262 option 1.

K2EDTA lavender tube: Keep as whole blood (do not spin) and maintain at room temperature.

SST/GST tube: Avoid hemolysis.
1. Invert a minimum of 5 times, and then allow clotting in an upright position for 30 minutes.
2. Centrifuge the SST/GST for at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes.
3. Spun SST/GST tube remains at refrigerated temperature (2-8 degrees C) for transport up to 72 hours.
4. Serum must be removed from original SST/GST tube and frozen at ≤-20 degrees C in plastic polypropylene aliquot tubes within 72 hours of collection depending on test. Refer to the Minimum Volume section of the profile for the number of aliquots required per test.

Sodium Citrate (light blue top) tubes: Process immediately (stable only 4 hours), following instructions below:

Note: We recommend aliquot tubes to be made of polypropylene plastic as this material is safe to freeze at ≤-70 degrees C.

1. Centrifuge capped Sodium Citrate (light blue top) tubes at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes, or at speed and time required to consistently produce Platelet Poor Plasma (≤5/kmm3).

2. Carefully remove the plasma from all Sodium Citrate (light blue top) tubes; avoid disturbing the WBC/buffy coat, and combine all plasma into a plastic conical centrifuge tube.
Note: If the plasma shows any hemolysis, it must be recollected.

3. Centrifuge the plasma in the plastic conical centrifuge tube for a second time as in step 1.

4. In one smooth motion, carefully and quickly pour the centrifuged plasma into a second plastic conical centrifuge tube. A small amount of plasma along with a red cell button should remain on the bottom of the original conical tube if the pour was executed correctly.
Note: This quick-pour method prevents platelet transfer and contamination.

5. Aliquot at least 1mL of plasma into each aliquot tubes labeled “plasma.” Refer to the Minimum Volume section of the profile for the number of aliquots required per test.

6. Finally, place all aliquots into a <-20°C freezer within 4 hours.
Note: Aliquots must remain frozen until they are picked up by the CompuNet courier. Call CompuNet transportation department if frozen specimen boxes are needed.

K2EDTA lavender top tube(s)
SST (speckled top) tube or GST (gold top) tube(s)
Whole blood Sodium Citrate (light blue top) tubes

OR

Frozen- Capped aliquots of at least 0.5mL serum (Polypropylene tubes recommended)
Frozen- Capped aliquots of Sodium Citrate plasma (Polypropylene tubes recommended)

Room Temperature: K2EDTA lavender top tube(s)
                                 Whole blood

Room Temperature: K2EDTA (lavender top) tubes ≤ 24 hours 
                                 Whole blood Sodium Citrate (light blue top) tubes < 4 hours
Refrigerated: K2EDTA (lavender top) tubes ≤ 48 hours
                      SST (speckled top) tube or GST (gold top) tubes <72hours
                      Unacceptable for Sodium Citrate (light blue top) tubes whole blood or capped plasma aliquots
Frozen: Capped aliquots of at least 0.5mL serum (Polypropylene tubes recommended):<13months at <-20 degrees C 
             Capped aliquots of Sodium Citrate plasma (Polypropylene tubes recommended)<30 days at <-20 degrees C

Sodium Citrate Plasma: Rejected for hemolysis, clotted, improper fill, incorrect specimen type, thawed frozen aliquots, refrigerated plasma or blood, expired test tubes, >4 hours old if not processed into separated frozen plasma vials.

K2EDTA lavender top tube: Rejected for gross hemolysis and received frozen.

Serum: Hemolysis, Lipemia, incorrect specimen type, insufficient sample volume, improper storage conditions, exceeds specimen stability guidelines, contaminated sample.

See individual tests in the profile for setup schedules

1-6 days

Anti-coagulant medications