Container/Tube: Light blue-top (3.2% sodium citrate) tube Specimen: Full tube Transport Temperature: Refrigerate Collection Instructions: 1. If no other tube is drawn, draw a discard tube. 2. Fill tube completely. 3. Mix by gently inverting several times. Collection Instructions:If the light blue top tube is the only tube to be drawn and will be collected using a butterfly set, a “discard” tube (either a plain[non-additive] or light blue) must be partially drawn just to completely fill the collection tubing with blood before collecting the light blue top for testing. Failure to perform this step will result in an under-filled tube that the laboratory will reject. Allow blood to fill the tube completely to the line on the tube. The ratio of blood to anticoagulant is critical in coagulation testing and at least a 90% fill is required. Immediately mix the specimen by gently inverting the tube 4-6 times to completely mix with the anticoagulant. Failure to perform this can result in a clotted sample, which is unacceptable for testing.
