Calcium, Ionized Whole Blood

Specimen Tube Type Transport

Lithium Heparinized Syringe on Ice or Lithium Heparin Green Top Tube. Microtainers are not acceptable.

Container Whole Blood Required

1.0 ml whole blood in a Lithium Heparinized syringe. FULL Lithium Heparin Green Top Tube. Microtainers are not acceptable.

Critical Value

Male/Female and all ages the same: <0.80 and >1.5 mmol/L

Summary Test Name

Calcium, Ionized Whole Blood

Specimen Stability

Whole blood samples are stable for 2 hours at room temperature and 4 hours on ice slurry / refrigerated if the cap is not removed.

Minimum Volume

1.0 ml whole blood

Specimen Preparation In House

Keep on ice until analyzed. Give the unprocessed sample directly to the Blood Gas Tech.

Stat Availability

24 hours a day, seven days a week

Test Turnaround Time Routines And Stats

ASAP

Reference Value

Male/Female and all ages the same: 1.15 - 1.27 mmol/L

Additional Test Information

Full gel lithium heparin green top tube OR heparinized syringe. Microtainers are NOT acceptable.

Deliver immediately to lab protected in an ice slurry.

Receive/process order in Sunquest. DO NOT SPIN. Give sample immediately to Blood Gas tech.

Heparinized syringe should be placed in an ice slurry if >30-minute delay in testing.

OUTREACH samples (full tube): Whole blood samples are stable 2hr at room temp and 4 hours in ice slurry/refrigerated if cap is NOT removed.