Your Draw.
A Patient’s FirstLook.
Every FirstLook Lung result starts with a successful blood collection. Here’s what you need to draw, label, and ship with confidence.
Questions and Answers for Phlebotomists
What tube and volume does FirstLook Lung require?
FirstLook Lung requires one full 10 mL Streck Cell-Free DNA BCT® blood collection tube of whole blood. The tube comes in every FirstLook Blood Collection Kit. Fill it completely — a partial fill can cause test failure and a redraw.
Does the patient need to fast before the blood draw?
No. Fasting is not required prior to collecting a blood sample for the FirstLook Lung test.
What needle size should I use, and can I use a butterfly or syringe?
Use a 21-gauge needle. If a 21G needle is not available, 20G or 22G needles are acceptable. Do not use a butterfly apparatus, and do not draw blood into a syringe and dispense into the cfDNA BCT — either approach can compromise the sample.
What order do I draw tubes in if I'm collecting multiples?
Follow CLSI GP41 guidance. The cfDNA BCT tube should be drawn after an EDTA tube and before a sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate tube. If the cfDNA BCT immediately follows a heparin tube, collect a non-additive or EDTA tube as a waste tube prior to the cfDNA BCT collection
How should I mix the sample after collection?
Allow the tube to fill completely — this may take 60 to 90 seconds or longer. Immediately mix the contents by gently inverting the tube 10 times. A complete 180-degree turn and back counts as one inversion. Do not shake the tube vigorously. Inadequate or delayed mixing may affect test performance.
Do I need to centrifuge or refrigerate the sample?
No. Do not centrifuge the blood sample, and do not store the tube or any part of the blood collection kit in a refrigerator or freezer. Store the sample at room temperature (18°–25° C / 59°–86° F).
How do I check whether the kit is expired?
Take 30 seconds before every draw to check the expiration date on the box — it is printed on both the side and the bottom of the box. Shelf life is approximately 18 months. If the kit is expired, do not use it: discard it, reschedule the draw if needed, and email DELFI Client Services. When ordering replacement kits, confirm the date is at least two weeks out to account for transit time.
How do I label the tube and test requisition form?
Use only the labels provided in the kit. On the blood tube label, write the patient’s first and last name and date of birth, then affix the label vertically to the tube on top of the existing label. Adhere the TRF label to the designated spot in the “Phlebotomist to Complete” section of the test requisition form, and write the specimen collection date (MM/DD/YYYY) in the adjacent field.
How quickly should the sample ship?
Ship the sample within 24 hours of collection, Monday through Friday. Do not ship on Saturday, Sunday, or federal holidays — hold weekend-collected samples at room temperature and ship the next business day. Do not place the package in a drop box; arrange a FedEx pickup or drop at a staffed FedEx location.
Who do I contact with questions or to order more kits?
DELFI Client Services is available Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm ET. Call 1-800-589-2182 or email clientservices@delfidiagnostics.com. The team can help with kit fulfillment, order processing, test status, and result delivery.
What happens if the tube is damaged or the kit is missing components?
If the cfDNA BCT is expired or damaged, or if kit components are missing (for example, a missing label sheet), discard the tube and its original kit. Use a new blood collection kit to complete the draw. In the case of vein collapse during the draw, discard the first tube and its kit and start fresh with a new kit and tube.
Blood Collection Training Kit
Five Steps to a Successful FirstLook Draw
FirstLook Lung is a simple blood test — but getting the draw right protects the patient from a redraw and gives the lab the quality sample it needs. Here are the essentials from our Client Services training.
Check the Kit Before You Draw
Confirm the expiration date on the side and bottom of the box. Verify all components are present: the Streck cfDNA BCT tube, kit labels, foil pouch, biohazard bag with absorbent pad, gel pack, FedEx Clinical Pak, and instructions for use.
Collect the Sample
Draw one full 10 mL tube using a 21G needle. Follow CLSI GP41 draw-order guidance if other tubes are being collected. No fasting required. Let the vacuum fully exhaust — 60 to 90 seconds or longer.
Invert, Don't Shake
Gently invert the tube 10 times, with each 180-degree turn and return counting as one inversion. Do not shake. Do not centrifuge. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Store at room temperature.
Label the Tube and TRF
Use only the labels provided in the kit. Write the patient’s first and last name and date of birth on the blood tube label. Affix the TRF label to the “Phlebotomist to Complete” section and record the collection date.
Pack and Ship Same or Next Day
Seal the tube in the biohazard bag, add the gel pack to the foil pouch, close the box over the folded TRF, and place it in the FedEx Clinical Pak. Ship within 24 hours Monday through Friday — never on weekends or holidays.
Need a Refresher?
Save the Phlebotomy Instructions flyer to your workstation or print it for the draw room. See the next section to download your quick-reference copy.
Quick Reference
Keep the Phlebotomy Instructions Within Arm’s Reach
Our two-page Phlebotomy Instructions flyer is built for the draw room. It covers the critical steps for a successful collection: kit contents, draw order, tube fill and inversion, labeling, packing, and shipping — with clear do’s and don’ts called out.
Print a copy for your workstation or share it digitally with your team. It’s a fast refresher on the details that protect against test failure and redraws.
- Blood collection steps and critical precautions
- Correct draw order with other tubes
- Sample labeling, packing, and shipping at a glance
Shipping Made Simple
Get Your Sample On Its Way
Every FirstLook Blood Collection Kit ships in a FedEx Clinical Pak with a pre-printed return label. To keep the sample within its 24-hour window, arrange a FedEx pickup or drop at a staffed FedEx location — not a drop box.
Our one-page FedEx Pickup Instructions walks you through scheduling: the number to call, the voice prompts to follow, and what to have ready when a representative comes on the line. Hold weekend or holiday collections at room temperature and ship the next business day.
- Step-by-step FedEx pickup scheduling
- What to say to the automated system and the representative
- Shipping do's and don'ts to protect sample integrity
Questions? DELFI Client Services is Here to Help.
Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm ET
Phone: 1-800-589-2182
Email: clientservices@delfidiagnostics.com
The FirstLook Lung test is a laboratory-developed test. It was developed and its performance characteristics determined by DELFI Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the FDA. The laboratory is regulated under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) as qualified to perform high-complexity clinical tests. This test is used for clinical purposes. It should not be regarded as investigational or for research. © 2026 DELFI Diagnostics, Inc. All rights reserved. FIRSTLOOK™ is a trademark of DELFI Diagnostics, Inc. used worldwide.