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Test Code ESR Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Blood

Performing Laboratory

MaineGeneral Medical Center

Specimen Requirements

Draw blood in a 13 x 75mm lavender-top (K2-EDTA) tube or a lavender-top (K2-EDTA) BD MICROTAINER® MAP microtube filled to 500uL. Invert 6 times to mix blood. If a CBC is also required with the ESR, 2 lavender-top (K2-EDTA) BD MICROTAINER® MAP tubes would be required. Label specimen with the patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of draw and the phlebotomist’s initials. Send whole blood refrigerated. 

 

*Collection tube must be filled to ½ of its intended total volume to ensure adequate blood to anticoagulant ratio.
 

Specimen Stability

28 hours stored at room temperature

48 hours when refrigerated at 2-8°C

Minimum Volume

500 uL

Specimen Rejection Criteria

Clotted blood

Hemolysis

Specimens that are >28 hours old unrefrigerated

Collection tube is less than one-half its intended volume

Reference Values

Males

<50 years of age:  <15 mm/hour

>50 years of age:  <20 mm/hour

Females

<50 years of age:  <20 mm/hour

>50 years of age:  <30 mm/hour

Day(s) Test Performed

Monday - Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

85652