Red serum vial/tube - 5 mL

1. Allow sample to clot
2. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
3. Transfer serum to a Serum/plasma transfer vial/tube (MedTox), labelled as serum

Serum/plasma transfer vial/tube (MedTox)

Dk green heparin (Li or Na), no gel

Immediately following collection, mix sample by inverting 5 - 10 times to prevent clotting.

1. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
2. Transfer plasma to a Serum/plasma transfer vial/tube (MedTox), labelled as the appropriate plasma type

Refrigerated (preferred)

Ambient (OK) - 3 days

Frozen (OK)

Gel-barrier tubes are not recommended

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)

Codeine:             10 - 100 ng/mL
Morphine:           21 - 65 ng/mL
Hydrocodone:     10 - 100 ng/mL
Hydromorphone:   1 - 30 ng/mL
Dihydrocodeine:  Not established
Oxycodone:        10 - 100 ng/mL
Oxymorphone:      1 - 8 ng/mL

Medical necessity