At what temperature must the blood specimen for cold Agglutinins be maintained until the serum or plasma can be separated from the cells?

Pre-Centrifugation Phase

Strict adherence to all phases of collection and processing is essential for accurate test results. Plasma specimens are obtained using a Vacutainer tube containing an anticoagulant. These specimens can be centrifuged within minutes after collection. Any vacuum tube containing an anticoagulant should be inverted gently 8-10 times immediately after blood collection to ensure the intended action of the additive.

Serum specimens are obtained from tubes when the blood has been allowed to clot. Prior to centrifugation the specimen must be thoroughly clotted.

Clotting Instructions

Clotting instructions with minimum clotting time recommendations: Non-additive tubes (red stoppers)-60 minutes. SST tubes-30 minutes.

Recommended times are based upon an intact clotting process. Patients with abnormal Clotting due to disease, or those receiving anticoagulant therapy require more time for complete Clot formation. Separation of serum or plasma from cells should take place within 2 hours of collection to prevent erroneous test results.

When specimen requirements call for a chilled specimen (2-8° C), the specimen is to be immediately placed in a small plastic tube bag, tied and placed in crushed ice or a mixture of ice and water. Examples requiring a chilled specimen include ammonia, and lactic acid.

Centrifugation

Blood specimens should be adequately clotted prior to centrifugation. They should be centrifuged with the stoppers in place. The recommended centrifuge time is15 minutes at 3,000 rpm.

All specimens collected in tubes with gel barriers should be properly centrifuged prior to transport.

When gel tubes are stored after centrifugation, the serum/plasma is separated from the cells by the gel barrier. It is recommended that serum/plasma be physically separated from contact with cells AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, with a maximum time limit of 2 hours from the time of collection. After proper centrifugation, serum can be left in contact with the gel barrier of SST tubes for up to 5 days with proper storage.

The centrifuge must be properly balanced. This is to prevent excessive vibration and potential breakage of the specimen tube, and is also necessary to properly separate the serum/plasma from the cells.

Centrifuge Safety

With normal operation, the centrifuge does not present any safety hazards. It is important to follow the listed safety precautions while operating the centrifuge:

LID: Never open the lid while the rotor is moving. If the centrifuge comes with a safety interlock switch, do not tamper with this safety mechanism. If the switch is broken, do not operate the instrument until the switch is repaired.

LOAD BALANCE: The centrifuge must be balanced before operating. When centrifuging single or multiple tubes, each tube has to be counterbalanced with a tube of blood or a tube filled with water to match the tube directly across from it in the centrifuge head. Never spin a single tube without installing a balance tube. Excessive noise or vibration is an indication that the centrifuge is not balanced.

BIOHAZARD: If a tube spills or breaks, there is a potential biological hazard and the instrument must be cleaned using an approved cleansing procedure.

Specimen Storage

Any specimen which must be stored for more than 1 hour prior to pickup should be refrigerated, unless otherwise indicated under specimen requirements. Do not refrigerate unspun Potassiums.

Any specimen, which requires freezing, should be frozen as soon as possible after collection. Always freeze specimens in a plastic vial. Do not use glass.

Confirm that the specimens are properly spun, properly labeled and accompanied by a requisition. Place the corresponding specimen(s) and requisition into a specimen transport bag.

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MLabs and the Department of Pathology Laboratories at the University of Michigan offer a full range of tests and services. Our faculty have expertise in all disciplines of Pathology and are available to provide consultation to referring physicians.

Sending Laboratory Specimens

Courier service is provided to established MLabs clients and UM Health Center sites:

a. When courier service is not available, specimens can be sent by express mail or delivery service to:

University of Michigan Health System
Department of Pathology
Specimen Processing 2F365 UH
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5054

b. Slides or blocks can be sent by express mail or courier service to:

University of Michigan Health System
Dept of Pathology & Clinical Labs
Bldg 35 N-LNC Specimen Processing
2800 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5054

c. Non-perishable, non-urgent specimens or slides can be sent by U.S. Mail to:

MLabs
P.O. Box 976
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0976

Questions?

Michigan Medicine Providers/Internal Users
call 6-6777

MLabs Clients/External Users
local: (734) 936-2598
toll free: 800-862-7284

Disclaimers

All specimen labels, including slides, must include both the patient's first and last name as well as a second identifier such as the patient's medical record number or birthdate.

All specimens must be accompanied by a completed requisition or electronic order. New clients or non-Michigan Medicine providers should contact MLabs for instructions.

What temperature must cold agglutinin specimens remain at?

What temperature should a cold agglutinin sample be kept prior to testing?

What is the incubation temperature for the cold agglutinin test?

How do you collect cold agglutinin samples?