SPECIMEN PROCESSING and HANDLING

Allow serum to clot for one hour in 37° C water bath, oven, incubator, or heat block. After clotting, centrifuge the specimen for 10 minutes at 3000 rpm utilizing one of the 3 options below:
1) In a “warm” centrifuge at 37° C
2) In a bench-top centrifuge placed in a “warm room” at 37° C
3) At room temperature, in a bench-top centrifuge pre-warmed by running it for 10 minutes at 2000 rpm
After centrifuging, decant serum into a screw-cap vial. Transport at room temperature. Avoid hemolysis.