WHITE CELL COUNT + DIFF

Clinical Significance
White Blood Cell Count (WBC) and Differential - A screening test for various disease states to include leukemia and inflammatory processes.

Preferred Specimen(s)
Whole blood from a full EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Minimum Volume
Microtainer 500 uL • 1 mL whole blood from an EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Collection Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature. Do not refrigerate. If multiple draw, collect EDTA (lavender-top) tube last. Mix by gently inverting 8 times. Traumatic draw can introduce thromboplastin and trap WBC and platelets. Refrigeration can precipitate fibrin and trap WBC and platelets.

Transport Container
EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Transport Temperature
Room temperature

Reject Criteria
Hemolysis • Age of specimen exceeds 48 hours  • Clotted

Setup Schedule, Specimen Stability

Includes
WBC and Differential (Absolute and Percent - Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils)

Methodology
Electronic Cell Sizing/Counting/Cytometry/Microscopy

Reference Range(s)
See Laboratory Report

Alternative Name(s)
WBC