Do not collect samples unless testing has been confirmed as previously booked for testing on this date at QCH. Contact Haematology laboratory  - 3163 8665

Collection must be performed on-site at Mater Hospital South Brisbane collection centre  (3163 8732) and MUST be booked in.
This test must be booked into Queensland Children's Hospital to collection -Haematolgoy Lab staff will contact QCH 3068 3547 to organize a day and time suitable for collection.
Once the booking day and time has been confirmed with QCH  Mater Haematology laboratory (ext 1672) will call back to collection centre.

Specimens must be in the CSR Main lab within 1 hour of collection. QCH must have sample 2 hours from collection.

All investigations of platelet function are strongly dependent on the correct method of blood collection.  If collecting several citrate tubes, it is very important to identify which tube was collected first (i.e. number all coag tubes in order of collection).
When collecting, use a 21G or larger needle. Blood should be drawn directly into evacuated sodium citrate tubes. After collection ensure proper mixing with anticoagulant by gently inverting the tube by hand 3 or 4 times. If there is venous collapse or stoppage of blood flow during collection, discard the specimen as it will not be suitable for Platelet Function Testing.
Handle specimen gently after collection - send to laboratory immediately.
Do not send to laboratory via Lamson system.

The patient must abstain from aspirin and related drugs for 14 days prior to the test.
If the platelet count and PFA-200 test are within normal limits, it is unlikely that a clinically important platelet defect is responsible for excessive clinical bleeding. Drugs, alcohol,cigarette smoking, and fatty foods prior to testing may influence results of platelet aggregation studies. Mild forms of storage pool disease may have normal aggregation responses and may only be diagnosed by electron microscopy and measurement of specific granule release products after platelet stimulation. Clinically normal individuals may have reduced platelet responsiveness to adrenaline. VASCULAR DEFECTS should be excluded in patients with a bleeding tendency and a normal von Willebrand and platelet profile