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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Glossary

D-Dimer, DVT/PE Investigation

Source Blood 
Mnemonic DDEL 
Specimen Requirements

Adult: 1 x 5 mL blue top sodium citrate tube (4.5 mL draw)

Pediatric: 1 x short-draw sodium citrate tube (2.7 or 1.8 mL draw)

Whole blood

Collections from patients seen at:
All Acute Care hospital sites
All Health Centres (Airdrie Community Health Centre, Sheldon M Chumir Health Centre, South Calgary Health Centre)
Extra - regional hospitals

PSC
: DO NOT collect test. (Except Airdrie, SMCHC, SCHC PSC).
Order and cancel test (cancellation code 22). Add chartable coded phrase "DDIMER".
Patient MUST be referred to specific sites for collection. Provide patient with a completed copy of form PSC.8026 Special Test Collection: Not collected at this Location. Select appropriate collection site on form. Form provides location/hours of the applicable collection labs.


It is important to fill tube to maximum draw. Mix well.
Indicate collection time on tube.

Note: The preferred tube for adult collections is the 4.5 mL draw tube. For difficult draws, use the 2.7 mL short-draw tube.

When using a winged blood collection set (butterfly needle) a discard tube must be used to remove the air in the tubing, if only a citrate tube is drawn or is the first tube drawn.

 

 
Specimen Handling

DO NOT centrifuge. Keep at room temperature.
Testing must be done within 24 hours of collection.

Extra-regional: If arrival of sample will be greater than 24hrs after collection, centrifuge sample, freeze plasma and ship sample frozen.

 
Additional Information Screening test for patients presenting with possible Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism.

Important
: If only "D-Dimer" is stated on the requisition, default to D-Dimer, DVT/PE Investigation.
 
Testing Location Hematology-FMC, PLC, RGH, ACHC, SMCHC 
Testing Frequency As required 
Alternate Name(s)  
Reference Interval  


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