Department

Haematology

Preferred Sample Type

Suitable Specimen Types

EDTA Whole Blood

2mL

Specimen Transport

Standard transport to laboratory.

Sample Preparation

Please note that if venepuncture is difficult and mixing with anticoagulant delayed, micro-clot formation may cause a falsely low platelet count.

Turnaround Time

4 hours

Sample Stability

4°C for 48 hours

Full Blood Count (FBC)

General Information

A full blood count consists of haemoglobin, total white cell and differential counts, platelets and full red cell indices. All of these values are provided using a single EDTA sample. If the full blood count results are abnormal or there is a specific indication on the request form, a blood film will be stained and examined microscopically.

Notes

Please note that after venepuncture and prior to delivery to the laboratory samples should ideally be stored at ambient room temperature avoiding extremes of heat such as freezing or sitting in direct sunlight or near a radiator.

Samples >24hrs may show sequestrinated changes (MCV increases, RBC and white cell degradation)
Samples that are >48hrs are unsuitable for processing. Results cannot be guaranteed if the sample has been tampered with or stored incorrectly before it reaches the laboratory.

Clotted EDTA samples cannot be processed.

Reference Range

For Adult Reference Ranges click here

For Neonatal and Paediatric Reference Ranges click here

Specifications

EQA Scheme?: Yes
EQA Status: NEQAS