Plasma More information

Light Blue top tube 1.8 mL (Na Citrate)

Full draw; 1.8 mL light blue top (mix well). Tube must be at least 90% full.

Short drawn tube, clot, traumatic tap (excessive hemolysis).

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

1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)

194-448 mg/dL
Reference range updated on 12/16/2019 due to new assay reagent.

Critical value: ≤80 mg/dL

Must be drawn swiftly with a clean venipuncture (no hematoma). Time drawn must be indicated. Fibrinogen may be performed on the same collection tube as Activated Partial Thromboplastin time (aPTT) and Prothrombin Time (PT).

Activity by optical clot detection.

Double-centrifuge specimen to prepare platelet-free plasma.
Immediately centrifuge specimen at 3500 RPM for 12 minutes.
Using a plastic transfer pipette, carefully remove plasma from cells avoiding the platelet/buffy coat.
Place plasma into a labeled plastic tube.
Centrifuge plasma again at 3500 RPM for 12 minutes.
Remove the top of the plasma and place into a labeled plastic tube.
Freeze double-spun plasma within 4 hours of collection time at -20 degrees C or below.

Freeze plasma immediately.

Place labeled specimen into zip-lock type biohazard bag; seal bag.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place dry ice on top of specimen in Styrofoam container to maintain frozen temperature.
Samples received thawed will be cancelled.

See Additional Information:
Hematology Critical Lab Values
Hemolysis Chart
Phlebotomy Tubes and Order of Draw