Specimen Requirements

This test must be approved by a pharmacist prior to ordering (no longer orderable by nursing).

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Plasma

Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube. (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 2 mL of lithium heparin plasma. Plasma for a peak level should be drawn 2 hours after completion of a 60 minute infusion of an intravenous dose of vancomycin.

Note: 1. Place 1 of patient’s hospital computer labels on a “Laboratory Request Form A,” specify test Vancomycin, Peak—Approved by Pharmacist and forward it with the specimen.

2. Indicate plasma.

3. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Serum

Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube. (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 2 mL of serum. Serum for a peak level should be drawn 2 hours after completion of a 60 minute infusion of an intravenous dose of vancomycin.

Note: 1. Place 1 of patient’s hospital computer labels on a “Laboratory Request Form A,” specify test Vancomycin, Peak—Approved by Pharmacist and forward it with the specimen.

2. Indicate serum.

3. Label specimen appropriately (serum).