Complete Blood Count (CBC) With Differential, Reflex to Peripheral Smear Review
Use
As a screening test to evaluate overall health; detect and/or identify a wide range of hematologic disorders; assist in managing medications/chemotherapeutic decisions
Special Instructions
Normal CBCs with differentials are reported without a smear review if no significant abnormalities are detected. If specific abnormalities require more detailed analysis, a peripheral smear may be prepared and reviewed by a medical lab scientist or a pathologist for further evaluation of diseases like acute leukemia or myeloproliferative disorders. Critical results are escalated to the ordering physician immediately.
Limitations
The CBC with differential provides a broad overview but may not definitively diagnose hematologic disorders as many abnormalities are nonspecific. Some results require further confirmatory tests or reflexive analyses, such as manual differentials or peripheral smear exams, especially when detecting morphologic abnormalities in blood cells. Interpretive caution is needed in the absence of clinical context or other diagnostic criteria.
Methodology
Automated Analyzer (Hematology)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 57021-8
- 75652-8
- 751-8
- 731-0
- 742-7
- 711-2
- 704-7
- 71695-1
- 53115-2
- 58413-6
- 18314-5
- 6690-2
- 789-8
- 718-7
- 4544-3
- 787-2
- 785-6
- 786-4
- 788-0
- 777-3
- 770-8
- 736-9
- 5905-5
- 713-8
- 706-2
Result Turnaround Time
1 day
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Whole Blood
Volume
Fill tube to capacity.
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL (500 μL for pediatric microtainer capillary tubes; fill tube to capacity)
Container
Lavender-top (EDTA) tube
Collection Instructions
Invert tube 8 to 10 times immediately after tube is filled at the time of collection.
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Causes for Rejection
Hemolysis; clotted specimen; specimen drawn in any anticoagulant other than EDTA; specimen diluted or contaminated with IV fluid; tube not filled with minimum volume; improper labeling; transfer tubes with whole blood; specimen received with plasma removed (plasma is used for other testing)
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 1 day |
| Refrigerated | 3 days |
| Frozen | Unstable |