Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Blood

Container/Tube:  Pink-top (EDTA) tube(s) - Dark green-top (sodium heparin) tube or yellow-top (ACD) tube is also acceptable.

Specimen:  10 mL (minimum volume:  2 mL) of EDTA whole blood

Transport Temperature:  Ambient

Collection Instructions: 

Note:  1. Indicate blood on request form.
2. Label tube(s) with the patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of draw, initials of phlebotomist, and as blood.

Alternate:

Plasma

Container/Tube:  Pink-top (EDTA) tube(s) - Plasma gel tube is not acceptable. Dark green-top (sodium heparin) tube or yellow-top (ACD) tube is also acceptable.

Specimen:  10 mL (minimum volume:  2 mL) of EDTA plasma
Transport Temperature:  Ambient
Collection Instructions:  If there is a delay in transport of ≥1 hour, separate plasma from cells and place in a screw-capped vial. Send both plasma and red cells to laboratory for testing.

Note:  1. Indicate plasma and red cells (if appropriate) on request form.
2. Label tube(s) with the patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of draw, initials of phlebotomist, and as plasma or red cells (if appropriate).

Serum
Container/Tube:  Orange-top tube(s) or plain, red-top tube(s) - Serum gel tube is not acceptable.

Specimen:  10 mL (minimum volume:  2 mL) of serum
Transport Temperature:  Ambient

Collection Instructions:  If there is a delay in transport of ≥1 hour, separate serum from cells and place in a screw-capped vial. Send both serum and red cells to laboratory for testing.

Note:  1. Indicate serum and red cells (if appropriate) on request form.
2. Label tube(s) with the patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of draw, initials of phlebotomist, and as serum or red cells (if appropriate).