Specimen:

Blood

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

Full draw any size lavender top tube

Testing
Schedule:

Testing performed on Wednesday only; sample should be in the lab by 
Tuesday. Results usually reported on Thursday.

Reference Range:

Compatible with hemoglobin A, abnormal hemoglobins are quantitated by
high performance liquid chromatography

Comments:

This test is appropriate for routine screening.  Testing performed on 
Wednesday only.  Sample should be in the lab by Tuesday.  Pertinent 
clinical information should accompany the request and there should be a 
recent hematology profile.  Path resident will interact with clinician 
on all quantitative hemoglobin orders.  Peripheral smear morphology, 
RBC indicies, and HPLC results are correlated by the pathologist and a 
written narrative is reported by computer.  Analysis cannot be done on 
patients transfused within the preceding 3 months since the presence of 
transfused cells may render the interpretation ambiguous. Results 
usually reported on Thursday.

Methodology:

High Pressure Liquid Chromatography and Wright Stain

Sample
Processing:

Submit whole blood in original container.
Do Not Centrifuge.

Sample
Storage:

Refrigerate.

Transport
Instructions:

Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Transport in cooler with refrigerated coolant packs.

CPT Code:

83020