Collaboration between clinicians and laboratory diagnosticians can improve outcomes for patients with coagulation disorders.

Diagnosing coagulation disorders can be challenging in primary care practice due to the complexity of coagulation pathways, confusing terminology, and special requirements for sample collection. This article highlights common problems identified in sample submissions for coagulation testing and provides solutions to help clinicians overcome these obstacles. Blood collection procedures for optimal sample quality are described, and diagnostic algorithms are presented that can guide test selection and facilitate the interpretation of test results for successful patient management.