Collection/Processing Instructions

Marshfield Medical Center collected & performed IC samples:                                                                   

Collect heparinized whole blood, either venous or arterial, anaerobically in a low- or balanced-heparin blood gas syringe, capillary tube, or Li-Heparin no gel tube. Upon receipt in the lab, do no centrifuge. Deliver to the blood gas testing section for analysis.                                                        

Alternatively, collect specimen anaerobically in a 5-10 mL SST or RTT completely filled.  Upon receipt in the lab, centrifuge, but DO NOT REMOVE CAP FROM THE TUBE. Deliver spun SST or RTT to the blood gas testing section for analysis.                                                                       

Other Marshfield Medical Center sites that collect & perform IC testing:                                                                   

Collect heparinized whole blood, either venous or arterial, anaerobically in a low- or balanced-heparin blood gas syringe, capillary tube, or Li-Heparin no gel tube. Upon receipt in the lab, do not centrifuge. Deliver to the blood gas testing section for analysis.                                                                       

All Marshfield Medical Center sites that collect & perform IC testing:                                                        

Surgery patients:  Whole blood without anticoagulant is acceptable from pre-heparinized heart surgery patients, collected in a syringe devoid of any externally added heparin.  Upon receipt in the lab, deliver to the blood gas testing section for analysis.                               

Newborns:  Preferred specimen is a balanced-heparin capillary tube.  Other types of capillary tubes or collection containers are unacceptable.  Transport to laboratory within 30 minutes of collection, preferred transport is on ice-pack.  Upon receipt in the lab, deliver to the blood gas testing section for analysis.                                                               

Pediatric samples where only serum is available and a dedicated red top is not feasible due to excessive sample volume, draw red top tube and following centrifugation, remove serum and rapidly transfer to a small polypropylene tube (i.e. Sarstedt) aliquot container, FILLING THE CONTAINER IN ITS ENTIRETY (to avoid any air exchange). Cap the filled container immediately and store refrigerated (or frozen) prior to and during transport. Send to Marshfield.     

Regional labs sending to HUBs/Marshfield Medical Center Labs: 

Collect specimen in a 5-10 mL SST, filled completely and centrifuged within 4 hours of collection.
DO NOT REMOVE CAP from the tube. DO NOT ALIQUOT. Send entire tube to Hub/Marshfield Medical Center Lab. Send entire tube refrigerated.     

Other sites sending IC to Marshfield Medical Center Laboratory:                                                                   

Collect specimen anaerobically in a 5 to 10 mL SST tube, filled completely, and centrifuged within 4 hours of collection.  (Centrifuged SST samples are preferred in case other tests are requested, but not required).  Alternatively, specimens collected anaerobically in a 5 to 10 mL un-centrifuged RTT are also acceptable, but less desirable.  DO NOT REMOVE CAP FROM THE TUBE.  Preferred is for the entire tube to be sent refrigerated.  If unique reasons preclude the entire tube from being sent, centrifuge the RTT or SST, then remove serum and rapidly transfer to a small polypropylene tube (i.e. Sarstedt) aliquot container, FILLING THE CONTAINER IN ITS ENTIRETY (to avoid any air exchange). Cap the filled container immediately and store refrigerated prior to and during transport.  These aliquots may also be frozen for transport.  If the only size aliquot container available does not allow to fill to its entirety, then add as much sample as is available, at least 0.5 mL, and freeze immediately.