Hematocrit; hemoglobin; MCH; MCHC; MCV; RDW; red blood cell count (RBC); platelet count; white blood cell count (WBC)
Within 1 day
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Whole blood
Fill tube to capacity.
0.5 mL (500 µL for pediatric microtainer capillary tubes; fill tube to capacity)
Lavender-top (EDTA) tube
Invert tube 8 to 10 times immediately after tube is filled at the time of collection.
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Temperature
Period
Room temperature
1 day
Refrigerated
3 days
Frozen
Unstable
Freeze/thaw cycles
Hemolysis; tube not filled with minimum fill volume; specimen drawn in any anticoagulant other than EDTA; specimens diluted or contaminated with IV fluid; clotted specimen; improper labeling; transfer tubes with whole blood; lavender-top (EDTA) tubes received with plasma removed
See comments in Complete Blood Count (CBC) With Differential [005009].
Automated cell counter
