SEDIMENTATION RATE (089-0108)

Synonyms: Sed Rate, ESR, Wintrobe ESR, Westergren ESR

CPT 4 Code: 85652

Test Order Mnemonic: ESRWEST

Applies To: Non specific screening test that may be increased in blood protein disorders, inflammation, chronic infectins, neoplastic diseases, temporal arteritis, and polymyalgia rheumatica

Lab: Hematopathology

Request Form: Hematology

Collection: Routine venipuncture.

Storage Instructions: For best results, deliver to lab within 4 hours.  Refrigeration is recommended for samples that may be delayed in delivery to the lab.  Refrigerated samples will be accepted up to 12 hours after collection.  See SPECIAL NOTE below.

 Causes for Rejection: QNS, clotted, severely hemolyzed specimen, specimen greater than 6 hours old, identification errors.

Availability: Accepted 24 hours/day at Sample Management, Room 5.136 McCullough.

Turnaround Time: ROUTINE: 3 hours; STAT not available

Special Instructions: Sedimentation rate specimens should not be double labelled with other Hematopathology tests. Deliver promptly to the lab.

Specimen: Blood

Volume: 3 ml

Min Volume: 3 ml

Container: EDTA (Lavender top tube)

Reference Range: Males:  0-10 mm/hour;  Females:   0-20 mm/hour

SPECIAL NOTE: Specimen age exceeding 6 hours may be associated with shortening the ESR

Test Method:  Mini-Ves Westergren (measures change in opacity)

Interfering Substances: Hemoloysis, clotting, low hemocrit (<10%)

Revised 10/10/07 by L. Dornak,  MT(ASCP)