Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Whole Blood

Container/Tube: EDTA Lavendar; clean, grease-free slides and plastic slide holders

Specimen Volume: 2 ml

Collection Instructions:

1. If unable to deliver EDTA tube to lab within one hour; make blood films.

2. Prepare thin blood films as follows:

a. Prepare with a “feathered edge”; should be no more than a single cell thick.

b. Allow to air dry.

3. Prepare thick blood films as follows:

a. Place a large drop of blood (preferably from a fingerstick) on a slide.

b. Using a corner of a second slide, spread drop by literally scratching carrier slide to make blood adhere. Drop of blood should start out the size of a dime and be about the size of a quarter when finished.

c. Do not fix; air dry thoroughly before placing in slide holder.

4. Label slides and slide holders with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth and/or Social Security number, and date and time of collection.