Cobalt, Plasma (Referred Out) - Saskatoon
Discipline
Biochemistry
Overview
Description
Test ordering requirements
Preferred specimen collection
- Refer patient to a Laboratory Health Services Centre or a Hospital Test Centre able to process specimens within required time frame
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Plasma
Specimen collection container
- Preferred collection container: Royal Blue (K2EDTA) 6.0 mL
Required volume
- Optimal volume: 6 mL full collection tube
- Minimum volume: 2 mL plasma
(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection.)
Transport and stability
- Specimen must be centrifuged and plasma removed from cells within 30 minutes of collection.
Rejection criteria
- Specimens received where the proper collection protocols were not followed
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Testing Information
Clinical interpretation
- Result interpretation should be correlated with clinical and other laboratory findings
- Used to monitor exposure
Performance
Days/times performed
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Maximum laboratory time
Results reporting
- 7 day turnaround time by testing laboratory
- Shipped overnight Mondays and Wednesdays
Last Updated: January 16, 2026