Storage Stability in Plastic and Glass Containers of Oxalated Plasma for Prothrombin Time Determinations

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Abstract
The container type (i.e., glass, siliconized glass, or plastic) used for the collection of oxalated plasma for prothrombin-time determination is not of clinical significance. If the specimen container, regardless of type, is stoppered, with less than 1 cm. air space, the effect of standing at room temperature for 15 min. to 24 hr. after collection of blood is not clinically significant. Thus, the collection and storage of oxalated blood specimens does not require stringent precautions except that the container should be filled and kept stoppered; a large number of prothrombin time determinations can be done easily and efficiently without undue concern about the room-temperature storage stability of the specimens. The storage stability of restoppered specimens provides a quality control feature in the routine laboratory because it enables the laboratory to confirm reports which are unexpected and challenged by the physician.

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