Specimen:

Blood

Minimum:

Minimum of 6 mls whole blood in one or two of the following container 
types.
		
   Send two tubes with 3 mls whole blood in 3 ml lavender 15% EDTA
   container (Hosp Stores order #907688).

   Send two tubes with 4 mls whole blood in 4 ml lavender 15% EDTA
   container (Hosp Stores order #907691).

   Send one tube with 6 mls whole blood in 6 ml pink 15% EDTA
   container (Hosp Stores order #907692).

Testing
Schedule:

0800-1630 Monday through Friday.

Analytic Time:

24 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Comments:

Useful in patients with a low white blood cell count when suspecting
Sezary Syndrome. Sezary cells are more easily seen in a buffy coat
preparation displaying morphologic characteristics.

Methodology:

Staining and microscopic examination.

Instructions:

If the EDTA tube cannot be transported to arrive the same day as drawn, 
buffy coat smears of the blood must be prepared at the submitting 
institution within 2 hours of the draw time.  Submit unfixed, unstained 
smears.  EDTA blood can be submitted if it will arrive prior to 3:30 pm 
on the same day as drawn.

CPT Code:

85009