Specimen Required

Specimen Type: Platelet-poor plasma

Collection Container/Type: Light-blue top (3.2% sodium citrate)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: 

1. Within 4 hours of collection, 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.
2. Freeze plasma immediately (no longer than 4 hours after collection) at -20° C, or, ideally at ≤-40° C.

Additional Information:

1. Double-centrifuged specimen is critical for accurate results as platelet contamination may cause spurious results.

2. Each coagulation assay requested should have its own vial.

3. Do not store citrated samples refrigerated because the factors may become cold activated.