Specimen Requirements

For BMP :

Container/Tube:  Preferred: 4.5 mL Lithium Heparin (Mint Green top PST Gel) tube

Acceptable: 5.0 mL SST (Gold top) tube or 6.0 mL Serum (Red top) tube

For Ionized Calcium:

Container/Tube: 3 mL whole blood collected in dark green lithium heparin tube (no gel)

Specimen:  Full tubes
 

Collection Instructions:   Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere. For pediatrics, draw blood in  two separate microtainers (a 0.5-mL green-top MICROTAINERS® with gel and a 0.5-mL green-top MICROTAINERS® without gel).
Note:  Label tube 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.