| Folate, RBC (Red Blood Cell) (087-0380) | |
|---|---|
| Test Mnemonic: | RBC-FOLATE |
| Specimen Requirements: | |
| Collection: | Routine venipuncture AM collection is preferred. Test requires both SST and EDTA tubes. 7 mL SST and 5 mL lavender-topped (EDTA) tubes (see storage Instructions). (Min.: 3mL of blood). |
| Minimum Volume: | 3 mL of blood |
| Storage/Transport: | Deliver to Sample Management within 2 hours of collection. |
| Specimen Preparation: | SST (Serum Separator Tube): Centrifuge the specimen to separate from red cells within 2 hours of collection. Refrigerate at 2-8°C. Lavender-topped (EDTA preservative) Tube: DO NOT centrifuge; refrigerate until delivered to lab. Do not freeze lavender-topped tube; keep refrigerated. |
| Stability: | Whole blood: Refrigerated for ≤ 5 days; Prepared samples: Refrigerated for ≤ 18 hours or frozen for ≤ 7 days. |
| 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: | 48-72 hours |
| Methodology: | Chemiluminescence |
| Performed: | Test performed Monday-Friday |
| Lab: | Clinical Chemistry |
| Patient Preparation : | AM collection is preferred. |
| CPT 4 Code: | 82747 |
| Note: | Test can be ordered only once per inpatient admission or once per month for outpatients. Additional requests must have 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. | |