Misc Instructions

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

All Light Blue (3.2% Sodium Citrate) tubes must be filled to the proper level as indicated on vacutainer tube no matter what size tube you are using

Do not draw above a running heparin line. If a line has ever had heparin in it, it is not suitable for coagulation tests

CLSI guideline for centrifugation of platelet poor plasma is 1500 x g for 15 minutes. Centrifuges which have been validated to produce platelet poor plasma are also acceptable (at the validated speed and time)

“”Platelet poor plasma”” has a platelet count of less than 10,000 platelets per microliter

PREPARATION
Separate plasma from cells ASAP. Recommend separation from cells within 1 hour. Separation from cells required within 4 hours.

1.0 mL platelet-poor plasma

STABILITY

Room temperature:
Whole blood, 4 hours
Plasma, 8 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Plasma, 1 month at -20°C