Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Whole blood collected in or immediately transferred to 2 Greiner 2.0 mL partial fill blue top tubes containing 3.2% sodium citrate.  The tubes must be filled to their intended whole blood capacity as indicated by the small black fill line.  A 21 gauge needle or butterfly is the smallest needle that can be used for the phlebotomy.  The sample must be incubated at room temperature for 10 minutes prior to testing and may used up to 4 hours after collection if stored at room temperature (18 to 25C).  DO NOT REFRIGERATE, FREEZE OR CENTRIFUGE THE SPECIMEN.  Follow additional special collection instructions below. 

Special Collection instructions:

• Call the Univeristy of Iowa Diagnositc Laboratories to obtain a kit.
• DO NOT DRAW A SAMPLE FOR ANY PLATELET FUNCTION TEST AFTER A TUBE THAT CONTAINS EDTA (PURPLE TOP). 
• ALWAYS DRAW THE TUBE(S) FOR THE VERIFYNOW TEST FIRST. 
• Draw the waste Greiner tube until it contains at least 2 mL, then draw 2 more Greiner tubes.
• Tubes must be filled to their intended whole blood capacity.
• Gently invert each tube 5 times IMMEDIATELY after collection.
• Other than P2Y12, no other testing should be performed on these tubes.
• Tubes must NOT be sent through the pneumatic tube system and must be hand-delivered to the laboratory.
• Samples that are hemolyzed or clotted should be recollected.
• Samples collected from an indwelling catheter should have at least 5 mL of waste collected in order to clear the line.

Specimens need to be immediately transported to UI Diagnostic Laboratories for testing.