Lt blue Sodium citrate (NaCit) - 2.7mL

If the patient has a hematocrit >55, a specially prepared Lt blue Sodium citrate (NaCit) tube must be used in place of the standard Lt blue Sodium citrate (NaCit) tube.

Hematocrit-Anticoagulant adjustments

• Collect specimen 4 hours post dose
• Do not over or under fill the tube as the ratio of anticoagulant to whole blood is critical for accurate results

Coag – tube fill guideline

• Immediatley following collection, mix sample thoroughly by gentle inverting 8 - 10 times, to prevent clotting

1. Process platelet poor plasma (P.P.P) within one hour of collection

   • Coag – how to prepare a specimen for special coagulation testing

2. Transfer plasma into an aliquot tube labelled as Na citrate plasma using a spot label "NaCit Plasma P.P.P"

3. Freeze immediately

Microcentrifuge vial/tube in a Snap cap conical vial/tube and cap (Beaker sites)

Coagulation specimen transport vial/tube  (all other sites)

Plasma (routine testing):

Frozen (strict) - 2 weeks

Refrigerated - NO

Whole blood (STAT testing requests only):

Ambient

• Whole blood, unopened - 1 hr
• Centrifuged plasma on the cells - 2 hours

• Specimen collected in Greiner tube(s)
• Improper labeling (unlabeled or mislabeled)
• Improper anticoagulant
• Improperly filled tube
• Hemolysis
• Clotted specimen
• Delay in transport
• Improper storage/transport temperature
• Patient on heparin > 1.0 IU/mL

Chromogenic

Reference range: ≤ 2.0 IU/mL
Prophylactic range (peak): 0.1 - 0.3 IU/mL
Therapeutic range (twice daily dosing): 0.6 - 1.0 IU/mL
Therapeutic range (once daily dosing): 1.0 - 2.0 IU/mL