Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Preferred:

Serum

Container/Tube:  Orange-top tube(s)

Specimen:  2 mL (minimum volume:  0.5 mL) of serum

Transport Temperature:  Ambient

Collection Instructions:  Serum for a 30-minute peak level should be drawn 30 minutes after completion of infusion of an intravenous dose of tobramycin. Serum for a 60-minute peak level should be drawn 15 minutes after completion of infusion of intravenous dose of tobramycin. Allow specimen to clot for approximately 10 minutes, spin down, remove serum, and place in separate plastic vial. If there is a delay in transport of >8 hours, send specimen refrigerated in ≤7 days.

Note:  1. Infusion time and time of draw are required on request form and tube for processing.

2. Indicate serum on request form.

3. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

Alternate:

Plasma

Container/Tube:  Light green-top (lithium heparin gel) tube(s) - Lavender-top (EDTA) tube or light blue-top (sodium citrate) tube is also acceptable.

Specimen:  2 mL (minimum volume:  0.5 mL) of lithium heparin plasma

Transport Temperature:  Ambient

Collection Instructions:  Plasma for a 30-minute peak level should be drawn 30 minutes after completion of infusion of an intravenous dose of tobramycin. Plasma for a 60-minute peak level should be drawn 15 minutes after completion of infusion of intravenous dose of tobramycin. Spin down immediately and send entire tube to laboratory. If there is a delay in transport of >8 hours, send specimen refrigerated in ≤7 days.

Note:  1. Infusion time and time of draw are required on request form and tube for processing.

2. Indicate plasma on request form.

3. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).