SPECIMEN

Collection Information: DO NOT SEND SAMPLES IN MICROTAINERS - exposure to air during collection and transport will alter test results.

Adult: Full SST, Red, Lime Green or Green tube of venous or arterial whole blood. If analysis cannot be done within an hour, the sample should be collected in a serum tube with a gel clot separator and centrifuged prior to transportation to the laboratory for analysis.

Pediatric: 0.25 mL of venous, arterial, or capillary whole blood in heparinized syringe or a full  heparinized capillary tube containing a mixing flea (no air bubbles in specimen). 

Transport Information: A full SST or green top tube.

Minimum Sample Volume: Pediatric: 0.25 mL blood in a pediatric heparinzed blood gas syringe with no air bubbles in the specimen. Adult: If unable to collect a full SST or green top tube, sample will need to be collected  using a heparinzed pediatric blood gas syringe and sent to the laboratory within one (1) hour. Note 4.0 mL green top tubes are available from the laboratory.

Remarks: Keep sample anaerobic, do not open the tube. If serum/plasma is the sample, it should be collected in a stoppered tube, the tube should be filled to capacity, and the stopper left in place until just before sampling. If whole blood is the sample, testing should be completed within one hour of collection. The whole blood should be collected in a heparin tube, the tube should be filled to capacity, and the stopper left in place until just before sampling. In all cases, loss of carbon dioxide and the generation of lactic acid from continued glycolysis will adversely affect the ionized calcium determinations.

Unacceptable Conditions: Uncentrifuged gel separator tubes more than 1 hour old. If tube has been opened. If collection tube is not filled to capacity. If heparinized syringe has air contamination.