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HelpTest Code LAB320 Prothrombin Time
Department
HEMATOLOGY
Collection Requirements
For patients NOT on any anticoagulant medication. Order Therapeutic Prothrombin Time (TPT) if patient is on anticoagulant medication.
Must be a full draw.
Mix thoroughly immediately after collection.
Primary Collection Container
Blue 2.7 mL (Citrate)
Transport
Ambient: 24 hours
Refrigerated: unacceptable
Frozen: 1 week, platelet-poor plasma
Preferred Transport Temperature
Ambient
Processing
Mix tube thoroughly before centrifugation.
If freezing, prepare using the following method:
Centrifuge specimen. Use a plastic pipette to transfer top three-quarters of plasma into labeled plastic tube. When removing the plasma layer, be careful not to disturb the cell layers. Plasma separated from cells goes back into the centrifuge for a second spin. After the second spin, use a pipette again to transfer plasma to a new set of labeled aliquot tubes, then freeze.
Stability
Ambient: 24 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable
Processed:
Ambient: 24 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: 1 week
Minimum Testing Volume
2.7 mL
Reference Range
By report
Methodology
Turbidimetric Clot Detection
ACL Top
Performed
Sunday – Saturday
Reported
As completed
CPT Codes
85610
Unacceptable Conditions
Hemolyzed, clotted, short draw, refrigerated and serum specimens. Frozen whole blood.