Heska Element DC5X - Sample Collection and Handling

Sample Collection and Handling
Sample Collection and Handling
NOTE: Handle all samples and used materials as infectious waste. Wear gloves, glasses and other protective gear for your safety.
Heska-Supplied Green Top (lithium heparin) Tubes
NOTE: Use with Heska-provided centrifuge to save a step.
1. Draw patient sample using a 23-gauge or larger needle.
2. Remove needle from syringe to fill a 0.5-ml or 1.5-ml Green Top tube.
NOTE: Full 0.5-ml Green Top tube−6-test profile plus electrolytes.
Full 1.5-ml Green Top tube−Adequate volume for all available tests.
3. Fill sample tube.
• 0.5-ml tube: Fill with at least 0.3 ml of sample (second line); Immediately invert the tube 5 to 6 times
to ensure proper mixing with the lithium heparin.
• 1.5-ml tube: Fill with at least 1 ml of sample (second line); use standard inversion or rolling to mix.
4. Spin sample in Heska-provided centrifuge for 3 to 5 minutes.
Standard Green Top Lithium Heparin or Red Top Plain Tubes for Harvesting Serum or Plasma
1. Collect sample and separate serum or plasma as you normally would.
NOTE: Red Top tube serum samples: Allow 20 minutes to clot prior to centrifugation (45 minutes for equine blood).
2. Transfer plasma or serum to a 0.5-ml Heska Red Top tube for analysis.
NOTE: Full 0.5-ml Red Top tube−adequate volume for all available tests. The 1.5-ml Red Top tube should only be
used if it can be filled to at least the 1-ml mark (second line).
qs
quick steps guide
Element DC5X
Veterinary Chemistry Analyzer
.5
0.3
0.1
1.5
1.0
0.5
Upper limit
of sample
Lower limit
of sample
Suction
limit
.5
0.3
0.1
1.5
1.0
0.5
Upper limit
of sample
Lower limit
of sample
Suction
limit