Specimen Requirements

Container Type: Lithium Heparin (Green Top) or Sodium Heparin (Dark Green Top) or Heparinized syringe.
Specimen Type: Heparinized whole blood
Preferred Volume: 4 mL or 10 mL whole blood, FULL TUBE
Emergency Minimum Volume: 0.6 mL microtainer, FULL TUBE. DO NOT CENTRIFUGE.
Collection Procedure: Collect a full heparin tube, or a syringe without air bubbles, to avoid exposure to air.
Specimen Processing: Do not remove stopper. DO NOT CENTRIFUGE. Transport to the lab without delay or refrigerate. Best if analyzed immediately.
Unacceptable Conditions: Specimen that has been at room temperature longer than 30 minutes, been opened, recapped or spun. Tube that is not full or a syringe with bubbles.

Stability: