Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Blood - Pasqua-RGH/Saskatoon

Discipline

Hematology

Overview

Description

RGH/Pasqua

Saskatoon

Any ESR ordered that has had a High Sensitivity CRP ordered within the last two weeks; ESR will be cancelled except for the following cases. Please mark on the requisition if one of these applies:

Requested by Rheumatology/Opthalmology physician
Polymyalgia Rheumatica on initial diagnosis
Temporal Arteritis
A suspected relapse of Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Following cases of Rheumatoid arthritis
Inflammatory Arthritis
Cleared by the Hematopathologist on call
Pediatric ESRs can be requested through the SCM ordering system (RUH) and no longer require clearance by a Hematopathologist.
Rural requested ESRs may only be available through specified locations (see Testing Site(s) below)
Acute Care Phlebotomy Requisition Form #101062 (RUH only)

Alias

All Sites

Specimen Information

Specimen types accepted

All Sites

Whole Blood

Specimen collection container

All sites

Preferred collection container: Lavender (4.0 mL K2 EDTA)

Required volume

RGH/Pasqua

4mls K2 EDTA– minimum volume 2mls K2 EDTA

Saskatoon

Optimal volume: 4 mL
Minimum volume: 1.5 mL

(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection)

Pediatric volume: 1 mL

Transport and stability

RGH/Pasqua	Sample must be processed within 8hrs of collection
Saskatoon	Less than or equal to 6 hours Greater than 6 hours and less than or equal to 12 hours – results may be affected

Rejection criteria

RGH/Pasqua	Clotted specimen, Insufficient volume, Specimens received greater than 8hrs old, Frozen
Saskatoon	Less than 1 mL for pediatric Less than 1.5 mL for adult Greater than 12 hours Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria

Testing Information

Clinical interpretation

Results reporting

All sites

Results available within one hour of receipt

Performance

Methodology

RGH/Pasqua	Westergren method
Saskatoon	SPH ESRs are by an automated method

Days/times performed

RGH/Pasqua	24 hrs 7 days per week STATS available upon request
Saskatoon	Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week Stat ESRs are not available except in cases of Temporal Arteritis and pediatric patients

Specimen retention time

RGH/Pasqua	Specimen is retained in the lab for one week
Saskatoon	Specimen is retained in the lab for 72 hours

Last Updated: November 26, 2024