Lab Dept:

Hematology

Test Name:

ESR

General Information

Lab Order Codes:

ESR

Synonyms:

Sedimentation Rate; Sed Rate; Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

CPT Codes:

85652 – Sedimentation Rate, erythrocyte, automated

Test Includes:

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate reported as mm/hr.

Logistics

Test Indications:

Helps to evaluate the nonspecific activity of infections, inflammatory states, autoimmune disorders, and plasma cell dyscrasias; in particular to assess severity of and follow clinical activity of rheumatic diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis.

Lab Testing Sections:

Hematology

Phone Numbers:

Minneapolis:

Saint Paul:

612-813-6280

651-220-6550

Test Availability:

Daily, 24 hours

Turnaround Time:

1 hour

Special Instructions:

N/A

Specimen

Specimen Type:

Whole blood

Container:

Lavender top tube (EDTA)

Draw Volume:

2 mL blood in a 5 mL EDTA tube

Processed Volume:

Same as Draw Volume

Collection:

Fill to mark on tube. Mix thoroughly by gentle inversion.

Special Processing:

Lab Staff: Do Not centrifuge

Patient Preparation:

None

Sample Rejection:

Improper tube; clotted sample; underfilled tube; mislabeled or unlabeled specimens

Interpretive

Reference Range:

Pediatrics

0 - 20 mm/hr

Adults

Male

0 - 20 mm/hr

Female

0 - 10 mm/hr

Critical Values:

None

Limitations:

Anemia and paraproteinemia invalidate the results.

Methodology:

Vesmatic: Modified Westergren

References:

Harmening DH (1997) Clinical Hematology and Fundamentals of Hemostasis, 3^rd ed