Clinical Relevance
Platelet function is essential to the haemostasis therefore quantitative and qualitative disorders are common amongst patients with abnormal bleeding. Platelet aggregation studies are employed to investigate the different functions of platelets.
Min. Volume
The volume of blood in the coagulation samples must lie within the volume range as indicated be the size of the black fill arrow present on the tubes. Volumes above or below the arrow will result in sample rejection to ensure validity of results.
Turnaround Time
8 hours
Age of Sample
Samples must reach the laboratory within 15 minutes of venepuncture.
Specimen Requirements
- 5 blue top (sodium citrate) samples
- All coagulation tubes must be adequately filled (see above)
- All coagulation tubes must be mixed several times by gentle inversion immediately after venepuncture. Mixing the sample the anticoagulant stops the sample clotting within the tube.
Limitations
- It is not possible to provide results on clotted, insufficient, lipaeamic or haemolysed samples. These samples will be rejected with the appropriate comment.
- Samples tubes that have expired cannot be accepted.
- Requests must be performed following prior arrangement with a Haematology Consultant and a pre-booked appointment.
- Requests cannot be accept after hours.
Analysing Laboratory
Coagulation Laboratory, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne
