Heterophile Screen

Specimen Tube Type Transport

Lavender Top or Non Gel Red Top

Container Whole Blood Required

3 ml whole blood in a lavender Top or 7 ml whole blood in a Non Gel Red Top

Summary Test Name

Heterophile Screen

Specimen Preparation Outreach

Spin within 4 hours of collection, separate serum into plastic 12 X 75 pour-off tube. Cap with red plastic stopper. Refrigerate until courier pickup.

Specimen Stability

Serum or plasma - 72 hours if refrigerated, >72 hours, if frozen.

Minimum Volume

0.5 ml whole blood in a Lavender Microtainer 1.0 ml whole blood in a Pediatric Lavender Top 2.5 ml whole blood in a 5 ml Lavender Top or 1 ml whole blood in a Non Gel Red Top or 0.7 ml whole blood in a Non Gel Red Microtainer

Specimen Transport

Refrigerate

Specimen Preparation In House

Spin/separate and refrigerate until analysis

Test Turnaround Time Routines And Stats

24 hours

Reference Value

Negative