Order Mnemonic:

ACT

Dept Name:

POINT OF CARE

Collection Requirements:

Whole blood in a syringe without anticoagulant, from a venipuncture, butterfly or line draw (only saline lock draws are performed by the phlebotomist).

Transport:

Not applicable

Processing:

Point of care procedure

Stability After
Processing:

5 minutes, room temperature

Minimum Testing
Volume:

0.2 ml whole blood

Unacceptable Conditions:

1 Use of syring needle of a size smaller than 23 gauge may cause hemolysis.
2. Samples with any of the following characteristics should be
discarded , and a fresh sample collected:
a. Contamination with tissue thromboplastin
b. Contamination with indwelling IV solutions
c. Contamination with alcohol cleansing solution
d. Visible clotting or excessive air bubbles
3. Patient hematocrit <20% or >55%.

Reference Range:

An ACT result of <150 sec usually signals the removal of arterial lines from cardiac cath patients.

Methodology:

Clotting time
Gem PCL (Portable Coagulation Laboratory) Instrument

CPT Codes:

85347

Performed:

24 HOURS

Reported:

As completed

NCD/LCD ABN Required:

No