Background:
The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at UCI Health has validated new stability requirements for lactic acid, plasma (lactate) collected in grey-top tubes. Transport on ice is no longer required. New stability limits are listed below. All other requirements remain the same.
Effective date: Immediately
Specimen requirement and testing information:
Specimen: Collect 4.0 mL whole blood in a grey-top tube (sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate). Blood should be drawn from a stasis-free vein. Invert tube 8-10 times to properly mix. Improper or delayed mixing may affect results. Do not shake. Spin down and separate plasma from cells within 2 hours of sample collection.
Test methodology: Enzymatic
Test code: LACTAT
Stability:
Uncentrifuged whole blood:
Ambient: 2 hours
Refrigerated: 2 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable
Plasma, after centrifugation and separated from cells:
Ambient: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 2 weeks
Frozen: 1 month
Turnaround time (TAT):
STAT: 60 minutes after receipt
Routine: 2 - 4 hours after receipt
Set Up Days: Daily
Specimen required: 1.0 mL plasma
Minimum volume: 0.5 mL plasma
Rejection criteria:
Specimens that exceed stated stability, unlabeled/mislabeled/mismatched specimens, specimens submitted in leaking containers, grossly hemolyzed specimens
References:
- Astles R, Williams CP, Sedor F. Clin Chem 1994; 40(7):1327-30
- Mikesh LM, Bruns DE. Clin Chem 2008; 54(5):930-2
A summary of all tests offered by our laboratory services can be found here:
http://www.pathology.uci.edu/services/index.asp
Sincerely,
Bridgit O. Crews, PhD, DABCC
Director
Clinical Chemistry & Toxicology
Edwin S. Monuki, MD, PhD
Chair
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine |
