Specimen Requirements

Collect specimen into an evacuated blood collection tube or syringe containing heparin (sodium or lithium) anticoagulant. Fill tubes to capacity; fill syringes for correct blood to heparin ratio. Mix blood and anticoagulant by rolling tube/syringe between palms for at least 5 seconds and then inverting the syringe to maintain anaerobic conditions. Forward STAT at ambient temperature.