Specimen Requirements

Recommended Plasma Collection and Handling Procedure

• Collection Tubes:

Preferred:
Plain Green Tube (Heparinized Plasma)

 Also Acceptable:

Lavender Top EDTA Tube

Filled pediatric tubes are acceptable

• Filling Requirements:
  The collection tube should be completely filled with blood.
• Immediate Handling:
  After collection, place the tube on ice immediately.
• Centrifugation:
  Centrifuge the sample using a cold centrifuge to separate the plasma.
• Post-centrifugation Storage:
  • Keep the separated plasma on ice until analysis.
  • Heparin plasma: must be tested immediately after processing.
  • EDTA plasma: may be separated from the cells and transferred to a pour-off tube and held for up to 3 hours at 2–8°C.