Laboratory Medicine

Specimen Handling

Collection Instructions: Collect sample in lavender top (EDTA). Avoid gold top (SST). It is essential for the detection of Cryofibrinogen that the sample be immediately placed in warm water at 37°C until it gets to the laboratory. Write your initials, date and time of collection on the collection label or requisition.

For samples coming from outside hospitals: When the sample is received in your laboratory, it must immediately be placed in a 37°C incubator or water bath for 2 hours. Centrifuge to separate the serum (Cryoglobulin) or plasma (Cryofibrinogen), and send to St Michael's hospital at room temperature (or ideally with a hot pack to keep the cryo from precipitating). Results will be returned in 7 days.

Laboratory Staff Instructions: The sample should be kept at 37°C in an incubator for at least two hours to allow clotting. Centrifuged to separate serum or plasma, respectively. A portion of the serum and/or plasma is placed in a calibrated tube and kept refrigerated for 7 days.

Rejection Criteria: Specimen not in 37°C warm water. Serum, unlabeled or samples of non sufficient quantity.

Transportation: Send sample in warm water (37°C) to core lab as soon as possible.