Plasma

Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.

3 mL whole blood from light green top tube or 1 light green Microtainer^® for pediatric patients

24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)

0-2 days:            0.2-6.0 mg/dL
2-3 days:            0.2-7.0 mg/dL
3-11 days:           0.2-10.0 mg/dL
11-31 days:          0.2-1.0 mg/dL
1 month-17 years:    0.2-1.0 mg/dL
18 years & older:    1.2 mg/dL or less (as of 2/24/15)

Critical value:  >10.0 mg/dL for first 24 hrs
                 >13.0 mg/dL for 1-30 days

Refer to: Bilirubin Nomogram for designation of risk for 
newborns.

Refer to BD Microtainer^® Tubes product sheet for detailed sample collection instructions.

Protect micro-specimens from unnecessary exposure to light.

Criterion: recovery plus or minus 0.4 mg/dL (6.8 umol/l) or 10% 
(whichever is greater) of initial values.

Plasma
Hemolysis: No significant interference up to an H index of 800 
(approximate hemoglobin concentration: 800 mg/dL).

Lipemia (Intralipid): No significant interference up to an L index of 
1000 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 2000 mg/dL). There is 
poor correlation between turbidity and triglycerides concentration.

Indican: No significant interference from indican up to levels of
3 mg/dL.

Results from certain multiple myeloma patient samples may show a 
positive bias in recovery. Not all multiple myeloma patients show the 
bias and the severity of the bias may vary between patients.

Immunoglobulins: No significant interference from immunoglobulins 
(IgG) up to a concentration of 2,800 mg/dL.

Colorimetric diazo method

Protect micro-specimens from unnecessary exposure to light.

Centrifuge at a speed and time necessary to get barrier separation of plasma/serum and cells within 1 hour of collection. Send specimen in original tube. Do Not transfer to another tube.
Each sample must be labeled with at least TWO full patient identifiers (First/Last Name & DOB are sufficient for non-UIHC affiliated clients) to avoid sample rejection/delays.

Refrigerate.
All sample storage requirements are intended for delivery to UIHC within 24 hours of collection for testing. If samples won't arrive in this time period, please call the UIHC Core Lab for alternative storage/shipping instructions (319-356-3527).

Place labeled specimen into zip-lock type biohazard bag; seal bag.
Place completed requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Transport in cooler with refrigerated coolant packs.

See also:
Bilirubin, Total-Other, Body Fluid

See Additional Information:
Chemistry Critical Lab Values