Specimen Requirements

Specimen must be analyzed within 30 minutes of draw.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Arterial (Drawn by Respiratory Personnel)

Draw blood in a heparinized syringe. When drawing specimen, allow syringe to fill completely, remove needle, and tightly stopper. (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Syringe should be placed on ice immediately after draw. Forward promptly to laboratory.

Note: 1. Indicate arterial.

2. Label specimen appropriately (arterial).

Venous

Draw blood in a dark green-top (sodium heparin) tube. When drawing specimen, allow tube to fill completely. Do not uncap tube once specimen has been drawn. (Clotted specimen, hemolyzed specimen, or green-top [lithium heparin] tube is not acceptable.) Tube should be placed on ice immediately after draw. Forward promptly to laboratory.

Note: 1. Indicate venous.
2. Label specimen appropriately (venous).

3. Dark Green (lithium heparin) microtainers may be used to collect heel stick specimens from infants. Try to keep collection time under 5 minutes. Specimen must be full and put on ice immediately after collection.