Specimen Requirements
Collection
Liquid EDTA K3 collection tubes are not acceptable and will be rejected due to possible dilutional effects.
Collection Instructions
Collect specimen in a lavender top EDTA K2 Vacutainer® tube or EDTA K2 Microtainer® tube. Send intact within 24 hours of collection if stored at room temperature or within 48 hours if stored refrigerated. NOTE: Blood smear preparation cannot be done on specimen more than 8 hours old due to increased cellular degeneration. This may result in the differential being canceled. Two unstained peripheral smears made from the specimen at the time of collection may be submitted concurrently if transport cannot be done within 8 hours.
Alternate Specimen
Any EDTA K2 collection tube is acceptable, including, but not limited to Pink top EDTA K2 and Tan top EDTA K2 tubes.
Rejection Criteria
Specimens clotted, diluted with IV fluid, containing fibrin strands and clumped platelets, or in underfilled or improper tubes will be rejected. Differential will be cancelled if cellular morphology is compromised due to deterioration that may occur in specimens that are too old or improperly stored.
Contraindications
Slide preparation for a differential from a specimen greater than 8 hours old cannot be performed due to increased cellular degeneration. This may result in the differential being canceled.
Normal Volume
3 ml EDTA K2 whole blood in Vacutainer® tube or 500 µl EDTA K2 whole blood in Microtainer® tube
Minimum Volume
1 ml EDTA K2 whole blood in Vacutainer® tube or 300 µl EDTA K2 whole blood in Microtainer® tube