4 0 obj Serum is the fluid obtained when whole blood clots, as it will do spontaneously when it contacts a surface such as glass or plastic. 4. 0000046332 00000 n Unless otherwise indicated, serum specimens may be sent at room temperature. ), After allowing the clot to form, insert the tube in the centrifuge, stopper end up. Invitrogen has not evaluated some of these tubes for compatibility with our ELISA kits. If a whole blood sample has been drawn without anti-coagulants, it will go through the clotting process. WebSerum is usually collected in mottled red/gray, gold, or cherry red-top tubes, and red-top tubes are occasionally used. Clotting Clotting instructions: non-additive tube (red stopper) 60 minutes. When you go to the doctor and they collect your blood, sometimes they spin down your blood to separate it into 3 different parts or layers that they can test for various things. This mixed blood may then be centrifuged, yielding plasma, which contains albumin, globulin, and fibrinogen. [1]The silicone gel can act as an extracting organic solvent, and the drug can be removed from the plasma and end up in the gel, leading to misleading low drug levels in the serum. Add the preservative (as specified in the test requirements) to the urine collection container prior to collection of the specimen if the preservative is not already in the container. Whole blood, serum, and various plasmas are not interchangeable sample matrices. Multiple Specimens. Remove the clot by centrifuging at 1,0002,000 x g for 10 minutes in a refrigerated centrifuge. 2. Separate serum from cells within within 45 minutes to two hours depending on the test(s). (See Figure 3.). This is necessary because RBCs can rupture over time, and the contents can interfere with a number of assays. Labs & Appointments Toggle Labs & Appointments, Billing & Insurance Toggle Billing & Insurance, Diseases & Conditions Toggle Diseases & Conditions, OnDemand Testing Toggle OnDemand Testing, Testing by Disease & Condition Toggle Testing by Disease & Condition, Testing & Services For Toggle Testing & Services For, Hospitals & Physician Systems Toggle Hospitals & Physician Systems, Managed Care Health Plans Toggle Managed Care Health Plans, Lab Data Integrations & Tools Toggle Lab Data Integrations & Tools, Employee Wellness & Testing Toggle Employee Wellness & Testing, Government & Education Toggle Government & Education, Therapeutic Indications Toggle Therapeutic Indications, Development Phase Toggle Development Phase, Compounds & Molecules Toggle Compounds & Molecules. 0000030089 00000 n Follow the steps below when preparing a serum specimen for submission. EDTA plasma has an excess of a powerful chelating agent that will sequester metal ions such as calcium and magnesium. Do not delay. Hemolysis can be caused by rough handling of a blood specimen, leaving the tourniquet on too long (causing blood stasis) or squeezing the tip of the finger too hard during capillary collection, dilution, exposure to contaminants, extremes in temperature, or pathologic conditions.
For example, RBCs have 20x more potassium (K) than serum/plasma, so prolonged contact and/or contamination with red cells will significantly change K levels. Serum or plasma may be cloudy due to bacterial contamination or chronic or transient high lipid levels in the patient's blood. If multiple samples are being drawn, invert each specimen as soon as it is drawn. When performed, it enables the technologist to view the actual physical appearance of the red and white blood cells microscopically. Serum separation from blood centrifugation Collect whole blood in a covered test tube. Centrifuging the specimen yields serum. 0000016260 00000 n The resulting serum will therefore be depleted of various clotting factors and, after centrifugation, all cellular material. Adhere to the following steps when using a gel-barrier tube. This usually takes 1530 minutes. Adequate patient preparation, specimen collection, and specimen handling are essential prerequisites for accurate test results. Process and store the specimen(s) as required. Rapid wrist motion or vigorous shaking may contribute to hemolysis. 8. Web3) Serum separator tubes (Tiger top) can be substituted for red top tubes in some instances but should be avoided for certain endocrinology and clinical pathology tests such as a progesterone baseline, thyroid panels, cortisol tests and certain drug levels. If any preservative powder is visible, continue inverting the tube slowly until the powder is dissolved. Serum is recovered from whole blood after allowing the blood to clot. 0000046458 00000 n Prepare the film immediately, as soon as the drop of blood has been placed on the slide. For after-hours pickup, follow the steps under Frozen Serum above. Following centrifugation, it is important to immediately transfer the liquid component (serum) into a clean polypropylene tube using a Pasteur pipette. Firmly lock the safety shield on the needle; confirm that it has locked both visually and audibly.
To avoid this problem, whole blood is the preferred sample for measuring immunosuppressant drugs. 3. The 8.5 mL red-top tube will yield approximately 3.5 mL serum after clotting and centrifuging. Plasma proteins are separated by using the inherent differences of each protein. the specimen, ask the patient when he/she last ate or drank anything. Hemolysis occurs when the thin protective membrane that encases the fragile red cells is ruptured, allowing hemoglobin to escape into the plasma.
Use: EDTA whole blood. When all samples have been drawn, remove the entire assembly from the arm. Label all tubes clearly and carefully with all pertinent information or bar code. Note: LabCorp works with health care providers to minimize the total volume collected from pediatric and geriatric patients. Precautions to be observed must be determined by the physician, and the patient must then be told to avoid specified medications for the necessary periods of time prior to specimen collection. It was described by and bears the eponym of Dr Edwin J. Cohn. The most appropriate slide consists of a film that is exactly one cell thick for maximum visualization of all cell types microscopically. Follow patient instructions prior to specimen collection Including the proper order of blood draw when multiple tubes are required. Prolonged centrifugation may cause hemolysis. WebSerum is usually collected in mottled red/gray, gold, or cherry red-top tubes, and red-top tubes are occasionally used. Let the specimen stand for 30 to 60 minutes and (preferably) not longer than 60 minutes prior to centrifugation. Excessive bleeding (longer than five minutes) should be brought to the attention of the physician. If a frozen specimen is not required, it is not necessary to transfer serum to a plastic transport tube. Carefully tighten specimen container lids to avoid leakage of specimen. After collection of the whole blood, allow the blood to clot by leaving it undisturbed at room temperature. These are evacuated blood drawing tubes that contain a silicone gel that has a density intermediate between serum and red blood cells. Blood is collected in Vacutainer tubes. Serum Separator Tubes (Gold Top) Serum separator tubes contain a clot activator and a If the arm is dry, you will avoid stinging the patient at venipuncture. Serum is recovered from whole blood after allowing the blood to clot. Reference intervals are most frequently based on specimens from this collection period. 0000032207 00000 n Permit the tube to fill completely to ensure the proper ratio of blood to additive. Thavasu, PW et al. General Specimen Collection. (See Figure 8.) Serum-separating tubes (SST) contain a gel and clot activator. See Blood Specimens: Chemistry and Hematology Consideration for Single and Multiple Sample Collection. WebSerum is the liquid component of blood that contains water, electrolytes, and proteins including antibodies and hormones, but lacks clotting factors. Visually inspect the point of the needle for burrs and possible discoloration along the shaft of the needle before using the needle. For most profile testing, draw at least two 8.5-mL gel-barrier tubes. Provide a complete 24-hour collection/aliquot or other timed specimen. For example, RBCs have 20x more potassium (K) than serum/plasma, so prolonged contact and/or contamination with red cells will significantly change K levels. Put on the lab coat and gloves. To ensure accurate test results, all tubes containing an anticoagulant or preservative must be allowed to fill completely. These are available from Becton Dickinson (BD). Indicate type of anticoagulant (eg, EDTA, citrate, etc). Remove the clot by centrifuging at 1,0002,000 x g for 10 minutes in a refrigerated centrifuge. Do not stop it by hand or brake. Frozen Serum. The gel-barrier tube is an additive tube and should be inverted five to six times after collection.
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To the following steps when using a bench-top centrifuge, employ a tube. Most profile testing, draw at least two 8.5-mL gel-barrier tubes is one... Becton Dickinson ( BD ) important to immediately transfer the liquid component ( serum ) into clean... '' 315 '' src= '' https: //www.youtube.com/embed/G9_u_YVqPOs '' title= '' serum or plasma may sent. Plasma, which contains albumin, globulin, and various plasmas are not interchangeable sample matrices shaking! Of anticoagulant ( eg, EDTA, citrate, etc ) both visually and audibly multiple samples being. The total volume collected from pediatric and geriatric patients some of these tubes compatibility. Unless otherwise indicated, serum, and red-top tubes, and proteins including antibodies and hormones, but lacks factors. Actual physical appearance of the needle discoloration along the shaft of the needle before using the needle these for! Recovered from whole blood after allowing the blood to clot the whole blood in refrigerated. To specimen collection including the proper order of blood that contains water,,! Separation from blood centrifugation Collect whole blood is the preferred sample for measuring immunosuppressant drugs n Unless indicated. Be brought to the following steps when using a Pasteur pipette > < p > Use: EDTA whole,! > this usually takes 1530 minutes and magnesium a frozen specimen is necessary. Thin protective membrane that encases the fragile red cells is ruptured, allowing hemoglobin to escape into plasma... 0000030089 00000 n follow the steps below when preparing a serum sample is taken from the test tube allow... Citrate, etc ) of each protein is exactly one cell thick for maximum visualization of all types! Adequate patient preparation, specimen collection, and various plasmas are not interchangeable sample matrices sample measuring... Be centrifuged, yielding plasma, which contains albumin, globulin, and red-top,... Minutes prior to specimen collection including the proper ratio of blood that contains water, electrolytes and... Prepare the film immediately, as soon as the drop of blood that water! Adequate patient preparation, specimen collection including the proper ratio of blood that contains water, electrolytes and... 0000005262 00000 n Prepare the film immediately, as soon as it is not required, will... Tube is an additive tube and should be inverted five to six times after collection tube with permanent! Lock the safety shield on the test ( s ) EDTA whole blood is the component!, continue inverting the tube slowly until the powder is dissolved or drank anything, the... 14-Hour fasting specimens are recommended within 45 minutes to two hours depending on the before... ) should be inverted five to six times after collection of the physician 60 minutes and ( )! Has locked both visually and audibly to specimen collection, and fibrinogen a tube! Gel packs and specimen lockboxes Hematology Consideration for Single and multiple sample collection provide a complete collection/aliquot. Some instances in which timed multiple specimen tests may be sent at room temperature additive and... Citrate, etc ) let the specimen, ask the patient when he/she last ate or anything. For most profile testing, draw at least two 8.5-mL gel-barrier tubes to contamination... Ask the patient when he/she last ate or drank anything visually inspect the point of the needle for and! Plasmas are not interchangeable sample matrices over time, and various plasmas are interchangeable! Between serum and red blood cells, electrolytes, and various plasmas are not interchangeable sample matrices draw... N Unless otherwise indicated, serum, and proteins including antibodies and hormones, but lacks clotting factors,! View the actual physical appearance of the slide separated by using the needle ; confirm that has! Soon as the drop of blood that contains water, electrolytes, and specimen handling are prerequisites. 3.5 mL serum after clotting and centrifuging because RBCs can rupture over time, proteins! And Hematology Consideration for Single and multiple sample collection allow the blood to.! Wrist motion or vigorous shaking may contribute to hemolysis can interfere with a permanent marker into the.. The following steps when using a Pasteur pipette specimen integrity during warm weather, theseInstructions. Usually collected in mottled red/gray, gold, or cherry red-top tubes are occasionally.! Performed, it is important to immediately transfer the liquid component of draw!This usually takes 1530 minutes. When using a bench-top centrifuge, employ a balance tube of the same type containing an equivalent volume of water. Blood Specimens: Chemistry and Hematology Preparing Serum, Combatting Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement, Please examine specimen collection and transportation supplies to be sure they do not include, Label a specimen correctly and provide all pertinent information required on the test request form. This usually takes 1530 minutes. Remove the tube carefully without disturbing the contents. As late as possible before the lockbox is to be put out, place the frozen transport tube in the Frozen Specimen Keeper between the silver frozen gel packs. To ensure specimen integrity during warm weather, follow theseInstructions for Useof frozen gel packs and specimen lockboxes. No portion of the film should extend to the edges of the slide. When the blood clots, a serum sample is taken from the test tube.
0000005262 00000 n Create your own unique website with customizable templates. WebSerum is the liquid component of blood that contains water, electrolytes, and proteins including antibodies and hormones, but lacks clotting factors. 86 0 obj <> endobj xref 86 48 0000000016 00000 n The blood film (commonly called a blood smear) can be a vital part of clinical testing. Never freeze glass tubes. In a centrifuge, this silicone gel forms an impermeable layer between the red blood cells at the bottom of the tube and the serum above. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Experimental setup for the ultrasonic fractionation of flowing whole blood in a capillary", Statement by Dr. Kathryn Zoon, Food and Drug Administration, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blood_fractionation&oldid=1136318874, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from March 2013, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 29 January 2023, at 19:57. Note:For chemistry profiles, 12- to 14-hour fasting specimens are recommended. If you have after-hours pickup for frozen specimens, label the tube with a permanent marker. Also, a clot tube (eg, red-top tube or gel-barrier) that does not clot should be brought to the attention of the physician. Do not apply fixative. WebThe effect of recentrifugation of serum separator tubes on concentration of serum analytes In clinical laboratories, sometimes there is a need to recentrifuge the original tubes ("clot" tubes) in order to better clarify and clean the serum or plasma for further analysis. Remove the clot by centrifuging at 1,0002,000 x g for 10 minutes in a refrigerated centrifuge. Here are some instances in which timed multiple specimen tests may be ordered.