Patient Preparation
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| Specimen Collection |
- Acceptable Specimen Sources/Type(s)
- Whole blood in serum separator tube (SST)
- Whole blood in serum coagulation tube (red top)
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| Specimen Labeling |
- Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers and match accompanying test order.
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| Specimen Processing |
- Specimens should be centrifuged 1837 RCF (g) for 12 minutes.
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| Specimen Storage and Preservation |
- Specimens may be stored on or off the clot, red blood cells, or separator gel for ≤ three (3) days for specimens stored 21 to 22°C or up to six (6) days for specimens stored at 2 to 8°C.
- If testing will be delayed more than six (6) days for specimens stored at 2 to 8°C, aliquot serum into a sterile, plastic, screw-capped vial and store at ≤ -20°C.
- Avoid more than three (3) freeze/thaw cycle
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| Specimen Transport |
- Ship specimens at 2 to 8°C on cold packs.
- Specimen must be placed in a biohazard bag with absorbent material and should be shipped to the laboratory on the day of collection, if possible.
- All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180).
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| Specimen Acceptability and Rejection |
- Serum specimens collected in serum coagulation (red top) tubes or serum separator tubes will be accepted.
- Grossly hemolyzed, lipemic, or microbially contaminated specimens will be rejected.
- Cadaveric specimens will be rejected.
- Specimens with clerical errors in the lab order or on the specimen tube will be rejected.
- Specimens broken in transit will be rejected.
- Specimens leaking in transit may be rejected after assessment of viability and contamination.
- Specimens with insufficient volumes of serum will be rejected.
- Specimens transported or stored at incorrect temperatures will be rejected.
- Specimens received after expiration of viability will be rejected.
- Unlabeled or improperly identified specimens will be rejected.
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| Testing Location |
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