Specimen Requirements

ESR (Test Performed at LHW)

Whole Blood EDTA

Container: Lavendar Top Tube (EDTA)

Specimen Collection: Fill tube to appropriate line

1. Fill tube with appropriate volume.
2. Prefer to receive specimen within 6 hours of collection.
3. Prefer specimen to be stored and transported refrigerated. 
4. Properly label tube with patient's name, DOB, requisition number and type of tube, i.e. Lavendar.

Uric Acid (Test Performed at LHW) 

Serum or Plasma

Container: SST or Green top Lithium heparin tube

Specimen Collection: 1 mL (minimum 0.5 mL)

1. Allow specimen to clot completely if a serum tube (SST) was used for draw.
2. Separate serum (SST) or plasma (Lithium Heparin) from cells within 24 hours and transport refrigerated. If a red top tube is collected, separate serum from cells with 2 hours and place in separate plastic tube and cap immediately.
3. Properly label tube with patient's name, DOB, requisition number and type of tube, i.e. GREEN

Rheumatoid Factor Screen (Test Performed at LHW)

Serum

Container: SST

Specimen Collection: 1 mL (minimum 0.5 mL)

1. Allow specimen to clot completely.
2. Separate serum (SST) from cells within 24 hours and transport refrigerated. If a red top tube is collected, separate serum from cells with 2 hours and place in separate plastic tube and cap immediately.
3. Properly label tube with patient's name, DOB, requisition number and type of tube, i.e. Yellow.

NAIFA (Test Performed at Mayo)

Serum

Container: SST 

Specimen Collection: 0.5 mL (minimum 0.3 mL)

1. Allow specimen to clot completely.
2. Separate serum (SST) from cells within 24 hours and transport refrigerated. If a red top tube is collected, separate serum from cells with 2 hours and place in separate plastic tube and cap immediately.
3. Properly label tube with patient's name, DOB, requisition number and type of tube, i.e. SST.