| SERUM PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS (087-0212) | |
|---|---|
| Test Mnemonic: | SPE |
| Specimen Requirements: | Test Includes: Total Protein, Albumin, Alpha-1 Globulin, Alpha-2 Globulin, Beta Globulin, Gamma Globulin, and Interpretation |
| Collection: | Routine venipuncture. Preferred: 7mL of blood in SST (gel barrier) tube; Acceptable: Red-topped tube. (Min.: 3mL of blood). |
| Minimum Volume: | 3 mL |
| Storage/Transport: | Delivered to Sample Management within 2 hours of collection. |
| Specimen Preparation: | Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge to separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer serum from collection tube to labeled plastic transport tube. |
| Stability: | Room Temperature for ≤ 4 days, refrigerated for ≤ 2 weeks and frozen for ≤ 6 months. (Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles). |
| Causes for Rejection: | Incomplete and/or incorrect sample identification, improper storage/transport, and gross hemolysis or lipemia. |
| Reference Range: | By report (reports may vary based on instrumentation, patient age and sex) |
| Turnaround Time: | M-F: within 24 hours |
| Methodology: | Electrophoresis |
| Performed: | Special Chemistry; Monday – Friday: 7 am – 3:30 pm |
| CPT 4 Code: | 84165 |
| Note: | The test can be ordered only once per inpatient admission and once per month for outpatients. Additional requests require the approval of the laboratory director. |
| When ordering tests for which Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement will be sought, physicians should only order tests that are medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient. Components of the organ or disease panels may be ordered individually. The diagnostic information must substantiate all tests ordered and must be in the form of an ICD-10 code or its verbal equivalent. | |