Collection:
Follow institution policy and procedure including blood and body fluid precautions
ACT
Collection
tube is dependant upon the bedside test equipment used.
routine
venipuncture
use
two syringe draw, the first may be contaminated by tissue thromboplastin
avoid
limb used for heparin therapy
avoid
excessive manipulation of vein
avoid
overly tight or prolonged tourniquet
existing
vascular access
aspirate
and dispose of approximately three times the volume of dead space
in the tubing and catheter prior to collecting the sample
avoid
line or limb used for heparin therapy
collect
whole blood in a plastic syringe
flush
catheter with normal saline per policy
handling
start
the timer following manufacture instructions
Mix
blood with activator per manufacture instructions (may require vigorous
shaking).
place
in test equipment
aPTT
- PT
Blue
top tube
citrate in
the Blue top tube binds free Ca++ in the
sample. Without Ca++ ions coagulation can't proceed.
citrate is
preferred for coagulation tests because its effects are easily reversed
by the addition of calcium.
routine
venipuncture
use
two syringe draw, the first may be contaminated by tissue thromboplastin
avoid
excessive manipulation of vein
avoid
limb used for heparin therapy
avoid
overly tight or prolonged tourniquet
reduce
additive interference by filling tubes in the following order: Blood
culture, Red(silicone), Blue(citrate),
Lavender(EDTA), Green(heparin)
existing
vascular access sites
avoid
line or limb used for heparin therapy
aspirate
and dispose of approximately three times the volume of dead space in
the tubing and catheter prior to collecting the sample
flush
catheter with normal saline per policy
handling
Immediately
following blood collection, invert the blue tube 4-5 time allowing the
air in the tube to travel the length of the tube, mixing the sample
with the citrate.
Transport
the sample to the laboratory immediately. The Lab may refuse the specimen
if transport is delayed.
Fibrinogen
Blue
top tube
citrate in
the Blue top tube binds free Ca++ in the
sample. Without Ca++ ions coagulation can't proceed.
citrate is
preferred for coagulation tests because its effects are easily reversed
by the addition of calcium.
routine
venipuncture
use
two syringe draw, the first may be contaminated by tissue thromboplastin
avoid
excessive manipulation of vein
avoid
limb used for heparin therapy
avoid
overly tight or prolonged tourniquet
reduce
additive interference by filling tubes in the following order: Blood
culture, Red(silicone), Blue(citrate),
Lavender(EDTA), Green(heparin)
existing
vascular access sites
avoid
line or limb used for heparin therapy
aspirate
and dispose of approximately three times the volume of dead space in
the tubing and catheter prior to collecting the sample
flush
catheter with normal saline per policy
handling
Immediately
following blood collection, invert the blue tube 4-5 time allowing the
air in the tube to travel the length of the tube, mixing the sample
with the citrate.
Transport
the sample to the laboratory immediately. The Lab may refuse the specimen
if transport is delayed.
Platelet
Count
Lavender
top tube
EDTA
in the Lavender
top tube chelates Ca++. Without
Ca++ ions coagulation can't proceed.
EDTA is the
preferred anticoagulant but citrate may be required by the lab.
routine
venipuncture
use
two syringe draw, the first may be contaminated by tissue thromboplastin
avoid excessive
manipulation of vein
avoid
limb used for heparin therapy
avoid overly
tight or prolonged tourniquet
reduce additive
interference by filling tubes in the following order: Blood culture, Red(silicone),
Blue(citrate), Lavender(EDTA),
Green(heparin)
existing
vascular access sites
avoid
line or limb used for heparin therapy
aspirate
and dispose of approximately three times the volume of dead space in
the tubing and catheter prior to collecting the sample
flush
catheter with normal saline per policy
handling
Immediately
following blood collection, invert the tube 4-5 time allowing the air
in the tube to travel the length of the tube, mixing the sample with
the EDTA.
transport
the sample to the laboratory immediately.
Thrombin
Time
Blue
top tube
citrate
in the Blue top tube binds free Ca++ in
the sample. Without Ca++ ions coagulation can't proceed.
citrate
is preferred for coagulation tests because its effects are easily reversed
by the addition of calcium.
extremely
sensitive to heparin, not usually used
to monitor heparin anticoagulation.
routine
venipuncture
use
two syringe draw, the first may be contaminated by tissue thromboplastin
avoid
excessive manipulation of vein
avoid
limb used for heparin therapy
avoid
overly tight or prolonged tourniquet
reduce
additive interference by filling tubes in the following order: Blood
culture, Red(silicone), Blue(citrate),
Lavender(EDTA), Green(heparin)
existing
vascular access sites
avoid
line or limb used for heparin therapy
aspirate
and dispose of approximately three times the volume of dead space in
the tubing and catheter prior to collecting the sample
flush
catheter with normal saline per policy
handling
Immediately
following blood collection, invert the blue tube 4-5 time allowing the
air in the tube to travel the length of the tube, mixing the sample with
the citrate.
Transport
the sample to the laboratory immediately. The Lab may refuse the specimen
if transport is delayed.