Lab Dept:

Hematology

Test Name:

MORPHOLOGY

General Information

Lab Order Codes:

MORP

Synonyms:

Peripheral blood smear; Morphology-Pathology

CPT Codes:

85060 – Blood smear, peripheral, interpretation by physician with written report

Test Includes:

Preparation and review of peripheral blood smears.

Logistics

Test Indications:

Useful for evaluation of RBC, WBC, and platelet morphology.

Lab Testing Sections:

Hematology

Phone Numbers:

Minneapolis:

Saint Paul:

612-813-6280

651-220-6550

Test Availability:

Daily, 24 hours

Turnaround Time:

1 - 5 days

Special Instructions:

Order a Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential and Reticulocte Count at the same time (additional charge).

Patient’s diagnosis with a brief clinical history, including drugs the patient is receiving or has recently received, transfusion history, etc., are requested to facilitate interpretation.

Specimen

Specimen Type:

Whole blood

Container:

Lavender top tube (EDTA) or Lavender Microtainer®

Draw Volume:

2 mL blood in a 5 mL Lavender top tube or 0.5 mL in a Lavender Microtainer®

Processed Volume:

Same as Draw Volume

Collection:

Fill to mark on tube or Microtainer®. Mix thoroughly by gentle inversion.

Special Processing:

Lab Staff: Do not centrifuge

Patient Preparation:

None

Sample Rejection:

Improper tube; Clotted sample; Underfilled tube; Overfilled tube; Mislabeled or unlabeled tubes

Interpretive

Reference Range:

Interpretive report

Critical Values:

Presence of Blasts; however, if the presence of Blasts has been reported within the last 30 days no notification is necessary.

Limitations:

N/A

Methodology:

Light Microscopy

References:

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

Oski and Nathan (1998) Hematology of Infancy and Childhood, 5^th ed

Updates:

3/21/2011: Critical value statement for Blasts previously listed as “Presence of Blasts”. Qualifying statement added.