-Citrated Blue Top Tube (BTT) must be drawn to the fill line.
-Completely invert tube three or four times to mix. Do Not Shake.
-Centrifuge tube at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes or Stat Spin for 3 minutes at 8500 rpm with the brake OFF as soon
as possible after collection.
-Perform testing within 24 hours of specimen collection or transfer plasma to polypropylene tube with plastic
pipette for storage within two hours of collection.
If sending to another testing location: When APTT and Protime-INR are ordered together send only one frozen, plasma aliquot (1mL) for both tests, labeled with the APTT and Protime-INR specimen labels. Separate Citrated Blue Top Tube (BTT) or room temperature plasma is not needed
CoaguChek XS: Samples must be tested immediately after collection.