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Test Code LAB312 Activated Clotting Time

Department

POINT OF CARE

Collection Requirements

Whole blood in a syringe without anticoagulant, from a venipuncture, butterfly or line draw (only saline lock draws are performed by the phlebotomist).

Primary Collection Container

Syringe

Processing

Point of Care Procedure.

Stability

Ambient: 5 Minutes

Minimum Testing Volume

0.2 ml whole blood

Reference Range

An ACT result of <150 sec usually signals the removal of arterial lines from cardiac cath patients.

Methodology

Clotting time Gem PCL (Portable Coagulation Laboratory) Instrument

Performed

Sunday – Saturday

Reported

As completed

CPT Codes

85347

Unacceptable Conditions

1. Use of syringe needle of a size smaller than 23 gauge may cause hemolysis.

2. Samples with any of the following characteristics should be discarded and a fresh sample collected: a. Contamination with tissue thromboplastin

Contamination with indwelling IV solutions

c. Contamination with alcohol cleansing solution

d. Visible clotting or excessive air bubbles

3. Patient hematocrit <20% or >55%.