Safety. Universal precautions should be in effect, and appropriate safety procedures should be employed (see CDC guidelines for specific recommendations, 43).Specimen Collection. Acid citrate dextrose formula A (ACDA) is the anticoagulant used in apheresis procedures. This anticoagulant allows both an automated LKC and flow cytometric evaluation to be performed on the same specimen. Individual laboratories must verify the reliability of their hematology analyzer to perform an accurate LKC on blood/apheresis samples drawn into ACDA. EDTA is the anticoagulant of choice for peripheral blood samples.Specimen Labeling. As a minimum, specimens should be labeled with the patient’s full name, patient identification number, date, and time the samples were collected.Specimen Transport. Specimens should be transported at room temperature (18°C-22°C) in containers that meet all federal, state, and provincial guidelines. Packing should ensure that the sample neither freezes nor overheats (>37°C).