For patients who repeatedly have platelet clumps which preclude determination of an accurate platelet count, it is now possible to order a platelet count from a citrate tube. In many cases the EDTA in a lavender top tube causes the platelet clumping which does not occur in a blue top (citrate tube).  The Epic order code is LAB7882. This test is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This test cannot be done on a citrate tube drawn for coagulation testing.

If you have questions, contact Nancy Rosenthal, MD, Director of the Hematology Laboratory (4-8751 or pager 7057).