Specimen Requirements and Special Test Instructions

Drawn at Hospital/Dunlap:

1. Draw sample Monday thru Friday before 11:00 AM
2. Draw seven 3.2% Sodium Citrate blue top tubes.
   • Four tubes are to be maintained at room temperature
   • For directions for the last 3 tubes, proceed to step 3. 
3. Centrifuge three tubes within 1 hour of collection
4. Pour the plasma from each tube into a single specimen transport tube (3mL minimum)
5. Freeze plasma immediately
6. All specimens must reach Vitalant Laboratory and be processed within 3 hours of collection and before 4:00 pm

Drawn at Offsite location:

1. Draw sample Monday thru Friday before 10:00 am
2. Draw seven 3.2% Sodium Citrate blue top tubes.
   • Four tubes are to be maintained at room temperature
   • For directions for the last 3 tubes, proceed to step 3.
3. Centrifuge three tubes within 1 hour of collection
4. Pour the plasma from each tube into a single specimen transport tube (3mL minimum)
5. Place specimen transport tube on wet ice for transport to hospital
6. Upon arrival in lab freeze immediately
7. All specimens must reach Vitalant Laboratory and be processed within 3 hours of collection and before 4:00 pm

Special Test Instruction:  

These specimen are unable to be drawn at Physician Offices due to specimen integrity and stability.  Refer patients to a St. Clair Outpatient Center for collection.