CPT Code(s):

• 85044

Preferred Specimen:

Whole blood full EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Special Instructions:

Invert tube immediately 9 to 10 times once tube is filled at time of collection

Transport Container:

Lavender-top(EDTA) tube

Transport Temperature Name:

Room temperature

Specimen Stability Components:

• Room Temperature: 1 day
• Refrigerated: 3 days

Testing Schedule:

Daily

Methodology:

Manual cell counter

Reject Criteria:

Hemolysis; specimen more than 72 hours old, clotted specimen, tube not filled with minimum volume, improper labeling, transfer tubes with whole blood, specimen diluted or contaminated with I.V. fluid, specimen drawn in any anticoagulant other than EDTA, specimen received with plasma removed