Coagulation - Coagulation laboratory tests-general

Home Chapter Home Jobs Conferences Fellowships Books

Coagulation

Coagulation laboratory tests

General

Reviewer: Jeremy Parsons, M.D. (see Reviewers page)
Revised: 20 June 2012, last major update June 2012
Copyright: (c) 2002-2012, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.

General
=========================================================================

● Performed in almost all hospitals in US
● Necessary for diagnosis, treatment and management of bleeding and hypercoagulation disorders, to screen for coagulation disorders and to monitor anticoagulant therapy
● CAP requires laboratories to notify medical staff immediately if a critical value is obtained
● For critical values, CLIA requires laboratory to immediately alert individual or entity that requested the test, or if applicable, the individual responsible for using the test results

Specimens
=========================================================================

(a) tubes with 3.2% citrate are preferred over 3.8% citrate (higher concentration prolongs PT and PTT if tube not filled to the recommended level)
(b) do not draw specimens from indwelling catheters (which contain anticoagulants)
(c) if multiple tubes are drawn, draw coagulation tube after the red top and before the EDTA, heparin or oxalate/fluoride tubes
(d) try to fill the sample tube completely
(e) notify laboratory if patient is on anticoagulants and specify which ones
(f) don’t delay transport of tubes to laboratory; if delay cannot be avoided, separate plasma or serum from cells as soon as possible; store plasma (or serum) on ice for up to 4 hours, or store frozen

Additional references
=========================================================================

● Arch Pathol Lab Med 2005;129:47

End of Coagulation > Coagulation laboratory tests > General

This information is intended for physicians and related personnel, who understand that medical information is often imperfect, and must be interpreted in the context of a patient's clinical data using reasonable medical judgment. This website should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a licensed physician.

All information on this website is protected by copyright of PathologyOutlines.com, Inc. Information from third parties may also be protected by copyright. Please contact us at copyrightPathOut@gmail.com with any questions (click here for other contact information).