Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
 

Preferred:

Whole Blood

Draw blood in a pink-top (K₃ EDTA) tube(s), and send 7 mL of K₃ EDTA whole blood refrigerated. If there is a delay in transport of >24 hours, spin down, remove plasma, and send plasma refrigerated in plastic vial. Keep the blood bank band on the original pink top tube and place a band sticker from the same band on the plasma poor off tube. Send both the orignal pink tube with the red cells and the poored off plasma tube to SLH.

Note:  1. Specimen being drawn may result in a possible transfusion. Patient must be wearing an identification bracelet. Blood Bank identification band must be completed and placed on patient’s wrist at time of specimen draw.
2. Identify patient by asking them to state their name. If patient cannot identify himself or herself, find someone who can positively identify patient.
3. Label specimen as follows prior to leaving patient’s side. Using a ballpoint pen, fill out Blood Bank identification band as follows:
A. Patient’s full name
B. Patient’s date of birth

C. Date and time of draw
D. Phlebotomist’s initials 
Note:  Press firmly so information written on label will be duplicated on band (blood band uses carbon).
4. Peel off label from wristband after information is completed and place on tube.

5. Remove back of plastic sheath and place plastic covering on top of the carbon paper on the band.
6. Wrap band around patient’s wrist with number side out and firmly close clasp.
7. Cut/tear off remaining number portion of band.
8. Send labeled specimen and remaining number portion of band to laboratory.

9. Specimen can be used for testing/crossmatch for three days.

Alternate:

Serum

Draw blood in a plain, red-top tube(s), and send 7 mL of blood refrigerated. (Serum gel tube is not acceptable.) If there is a delay in transport of >24 hours, spin down, remove serum, and send serum refrigerated in plastic vial. Keep the blood bank band on the original red-top tube and place a band sticker from the same band on the serum poor off tube. Send both the orignal red tube with the red cells and the poored off plasma tube to SLH.

Note:  1. Specimen being drawn may result in a possible transfusion. Patient must be wearing an identification bracelet. Blood Bank identification band must be completed and placed on patient’s wrist at time of specimen draw.
2. Identify patient by asking them to state their name. If patient cannot identify himself or herself, find someone who can positively identify patient.
3. Label specimen as follows prior to leaving patient’s side. Using a ballpoint pen, fill out Blood Bank identification band as follows:
A. Patient’s full name
B. Patient’s date of birth

C. Date and time of draw
D. Phlebotomist’s initials 
Note:  Press firmly so information written on label will be duplicated on band (blood band uses carbon).
4. Peel off label from wristband after information is completed and place on tube.

5. Remove back of plastic sheath and place plastic covering on top of the carbon paper on the band.
6. Wrap band around patient’s wrist with number side out and firmly close clasp.
7. Cut/tear off remaining number portion of band.
8. Send labeled specimen and remaining number portion of band to laboratory.

9. Specimen can be used for testing/crossmatch for three days.