Presentation By:

Dr. Haithem.R.M
‫ل لطالع‬
 Specimen processing
Analytic testing of blood involves the use of whole blood, serum, or plasma.
Whole blood, as the name implies, uses both the liquid portion of the blood called
plasma and the cellular components (red blood cells, white blood cells, and
platelets).

This requires blood collection into a vessel containing an anticoagulant.

Complete mixing of the blood immediately following venipuncture is necessary to

ensure the anticoagulant can adequately inhibit the blood’s clotting factors.

As whole blood sits, the cells fall toward the bottom, leaving a clear yellow
supernate on top called plasma
 Specimen processing
IF a tube does not contain an anticoagulant, the blood’s clotting factors are active
to form a clot incorporating the cells.
The clot is encapsulated by the large protein fibrinogen.
The remaining liquid is called serum rather than plasma.
Most testing in the clinical chemistry laboratory is performed on either plasma or
serum.
The major difference between plasma and serum is that serum does not contain
fibrinogen
Blood Collection: Color-code Tubes
• Red-top tubes contain no additives. These
tubes are used for tests performed on serum
samples and DNA.
• When you use the red-top tubes, the sample
an be placed for 1-2 hours so that the serum
and blood clots will be separated. Blood clots
can be used for DNA analysis.
Whole blood in
the collection Blood after WBCs and Top view of the
centrifugation RBCs WBCs (buffy coat) Top view of sample
tube
fter plasma after WBC removal
removal