Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Specimen must be delivered to laboratory within 15 minutes of draw.

Container/Tube:  Lithium heparin blood gas syringe - Remove needle prior to transport.

Specimen:  0.5 mL (minimum volume:  0.25 mL) of lithium heparin whole blood
Collection Instructions:  If transport time is >15 minutes, place specimen on wet ice.

Note:  Label syringe with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, or financial number. Date and time of draw, collector’s initials, and type of specimen are also required.