Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Message Alert:

PLEASE NOTE: This Test Directory is in an interim state and due to changes pertaining to the DynaLIFE transition, performing site for routing has not been updated. Please refer to Laboratory Information System for appropriate routing.

Test Name/Synonym:

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
(Synonym: ESR)

Ordering Alert:

In most cases, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is the preferred test over ESR.
AHS Memo C – Reactive Protein (CRP) Substitution for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

For 3rd party client testing the clinical criteria does not apply. CRP should not be substituted for ESR testing in these cases.

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB322

Specimen Type:

Blood

Specimen Source:

Venous, Arterial, Central Line

Primary Container:

Calgary and Edmonton Zones, St. Theresa General Hospital (FVH), Northwest HC (HLH), and Northern Lights Regional HC (FMH)	BLACK-CITRATE (EXCYTE®) ESR tube
Alberta Children’s Hospital pediatric	LAVENDER EDTA or three microcollection EDTA tubes filled to the 500 µL mark
Central, South and North Zones - EXCEPT St. Theresa General Hospital (FVH), Northwest HC (HLH), and Northern Lights Regional HC (FMH)	BLACK IMPROVACUTER®

Alternate Containers:

LAVENDER EDTA

Minimum Collection Volume:

Calgary, and Edmonton Zones, St. Theresa General Hospital (FVH), Northwest HC (HLH), and Northern Lights Regional HC (FMH): 1.36 mL
Central, South and North Zone sites - EXCEPT St. Theresa General Hospital (FVH), Northwest HC (HLH), and Northern Lights Regional HC (FMH) 1.6 mL

Specimen Collection Requirements:

Calgary, and Edmonton Zone, St. Theresa General Hospital (FVH), Northwest HC (HLH), and Northern Lights Regional HC (FMH):
The 1.36 mL BLACK-CITRATE (EXCYTE®) ESR tube is used for ESR testing ONLY.

Allow tube to fill until vacuum is exhausted (blood will stop entering the tube).
Tube must be filled to the minimum fill line and not more than the maximum fill line on the tube.
Mix well immediately after collection by inverting tube 3 to 4 times.
When using a winged collection set (butterfly needle), a discard tube must be used to remove the air in the tubing, if only a black top ESR tube is drawn or is the first tube drawn.
Ensure patient label is applied to the tube above the maximum fill line.

Alberta Children’s Hospital pediatric: 4 mL LAVENDER EDTA or one 3 mL LAVENDER EDTA or three microcollection EDTA tubes filled to the 500 µL mark

Central, South and North Zone sites - EXCEPT St. Theresa General Hospital (FVH), Northwest HC (HLH), and Northern Lights Regional HC (FMH):

The 1.6 mL IMPROVACUTER® ESR Tube (4NC) tube is used for ESR testing ONLY.
Place patient's arm in a downward position to ensure the tube remains at a level below the puncture site to prevent tube additives flowing back into the patient.
Mix well immediately after collection by inverting tube 8 to 10 times.

Test Resources:

General Laboratory Requisition – 21302

Stability and Storage:

Calgary Zone	Room temperature and refrigerated 24 hours
Edmonton Zone, St. Theresa General Hospital (FVH), Northwest HC (HLH), and Northern Lights Regional HC (FMH)	Room temperature 18 hours
Central, South and North Zone - EXCEPT St. Theresa General Hospital (FVH), Northwest HC (HLH), and Northern Lights Regional HC (FMH)	Room temperature 6 hours Refrigerated 24 hours

Processing:

DO NOT centrifuge.
Do not remove cap from the tube as this is a closed system test.

Testing Schedule:

Daily

Reference Interval:

0 up to 18 years	Less than or equal to 10 mm/hr
Female 18 years up to 150 years	Less than or equal to 20 mm/hr
Males 18 years up to 150 years	Less than or equal to 15 mm/hr
X/Unknown 18 years up to 150 years	Less than or equal to 15 mm/hr

Testing Area:

Hematology

Performing Site:

Calgary Zone	Alberta Children's Hospital, Foothills Medical Centre, Diagnostic and Scientific Centre, Peter Lougheed Centre, Rockyview General Hospital, South Health Campus, Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre, South Calgary Health Centre, Airdrie Community Health Centre, Cochrane Community Health Centre, Banff Mineral Springs Hospital Canmore General Hospital, High River General Hospital, Strathmore District Health Services, Claresholm General Hospital, Didsbury District Health Services, Oilfields General Hospital, Okotoks Health & Wellness Urgent Care Centre, Vulcan Health Centre
Central Zone	Bashaw, Camrose, Castor, Consort, Coronation, Daysland, Drayton Valley, Drumheller, Eckville, Hanna, Hardisty, Innisfail, Killam, Lacombe, Lamont, Mannville, Olds, Ponoka, Provost, Red Deer, Rimbey, Rocky Mountain House, Stettler, Sundre, Sylvan Lake, Three Hills, Tofield, Two Hills, Vegreville, Vermilion, Viking, Wainwright, Wetaskiwin
Edmonton Zone	Devon Hospital, East Edmonton HC, Edmonton Base Lab, Fort Sask Hospital, Grey Nuns Hospital, Leduc Hospital, Misericordia Hospital, Northeast HC, Redwater HC, Royal Alex Hospital, Strathcona Hospital, Sturgeon Hospital, University of Alberta Hospital, Westview HC
North Zone	Athabasca HC, Barrhead HC, Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital, Bonnyville HC, Boyle HC, Central Peace HC, Cold Lake HC, Edson HC, Elk Point HC, Fairview,HC, Fox Creek HC, Grande Cache HC, Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, Grimshaw/Berwyn HC, High Prairie HC, Hinton HC, Jasper HC, Lac La Biche HC, Manning HC, Mayerthorpe HC, McLennan Sacred Heart HC, Northern Lights Regional HC (FMH), Northwest HC (HLH), Peace River HC, Slave Lake HC, Smoky Lake HC, St. Paul HC, St. Theresa General Hospital (FVH), Swan Hills HC, Valleyview HC, Wabasca Desmarais HC, Westlock HC, Whitecourt HC
South Zone	Bassano Health Centre, Bow Island Health Centre, Brooks Health Centre, Cardston Hospital, Chinook Regional Hospital, Coaldale Hospital, Crowsnest Pass Hospital, Fort Macleod Hospital, Magrath Hospital, Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, Milk River Hospital, Oyen big Country Hospital, Picture Butte, Pincher Creek Hospital, Raymond Hospital, Taber Hospital

Additional Test Information:

ESRs are unreliable in anemia, leading to false increases.
For sites that perform CRP testing, ESR order will be substituted with a CRP if clinical indications are not met. This does not apply to 3rd party client testing.

If the ESR is required, the physician must contact the laboratory.
Pediatric ESR testing is referred to Diagnostic and Scientific Centre or Edmonton Base Lab.

If an ESR is ordered by a rheumatologist, order LAB8322 and follow prompts in order or req entry.

Contact Comments:

1-877-868-6848

Last Updated On:

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Registered Trademark Comments:

EXCYTE® is a registered trademark of ELITechGroup
IMPROVACUTER® is a registered trademark of Guangzhou Improve Medical Instruments Co., Ltd.