View source for Specimen Processing (Hematology)

Specimen Types:
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!Specimen Type
!Uses
!Collection Info
!Interferences/Rejection Criteria
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|EDTA (lavender top)
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* CBC, differential, blood morphology
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* Transport within 1h
* Run within 24h
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|Sodium citrate (light blue top)
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* Coagulation
* Citrated platelet count (if EDTA-induced platelet clumping occurs)
** WBC and PLT count (multiply by x1.1 to correct for dilution)
** MPV reported
** Depending on site, other parameters can also be reported from citrated tube (x1.1)
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* Run within 4h
* Spin to separate plasma and freeze long term
* 9:1 fill ratio
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* Improper fill (over- or under-filled)
** Overfill -> clumping (not enough anticoagulant)
** Underfill -> prolonged coag results (too much anticoagulant)
* Improper mixing
* High hematocrit (requires adjusted hematocrit)
* Clotted
* Gross hemolysis
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Adjusted citrate for hematocrit

* Adjust whenever ≥0.55
* C= (1.85 x 10^3) (100-HCT) (V)
** C = volume of sodium citrate that should remain
** HCT = hematocrit
** V = blood volume (e.g., 2.7 mL sodium citrate tube)