Patient Prep: Draw 30 minutes following completion of infusion.
Collect: Plain red. Also acceptable: Heparinized plasma.
Specimen Preparation: Allow specimen to clot completely. Separate serum or plasma from cells. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.5 mL)
Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated. If transport is prolonged: Frozen.
Unacceptable Conditions: Separator tubes. Plasma collected in the presence of citrate or oxalate/fluoride or EDTA. Hemolyzed specimens.
Stability (collection to initiation of testing): After separation from cells: Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 2 weeks (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)