Proper acquisition and handling of specimens for platelet function analysis

When obtaining a specimen for platelet function analysis (using the PFA-100 device in the Core Clinical Lab) blood should be drawn from a venipuncture site and should not be drawn from an indwelling catheter. The specimen should be hand carried to the Core Laboratory and should not be sent through the pneumatic tube system. There is a potential to activate the platelets when sending the blood through the tube system.

If there are any questions, contact the Hemostasis laboratory (extension 63-527)