Specimen Requirements

Whole Blood

Container: Lithium Heparin 

Alternate: Sodium Heparin

Specimen Collection: Venous whole blood specimen collected in lithium heparin or sodium heparin collection container. Tubes must be filled to minimum fill line for accurate measurement and testing must be complete within thirty minutes of collection. If time exceeds this limit, order (CREAT.1). Properly label tube with patient's name, DOB, requisition number and type of tube, i.e. LiHep or NaHep etc. 

Processing/Testing: Specimen should be transported to the laboratory ASAP and run on unspun whole blood within thirty minutes.