Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Test Name/Synonym:

Hematology Electron Microscopy
(Synonym: Platelet Whole Mount, Hematology EM, Platelet Electron Microscopy, Platelet EM, EMPLT)

Test Includes:

Whole mount platelet and thin section platelet/granulocyte/other hematocyte transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

Ordering Alert:

Pre-booking required.
Calgary Zone:

This test must be booked by calling EM Lab 403-210-8806
Electron Microscopy Lab (EM Lab) will fax Volunteer Control Consent Form to collection site before specimen collection.
Order enter with STAT priority

Edmonton Zone:

This test must be booked by calling 780-407-7484.
Platelet and buffy coat specimen refer to Platelet Aggregation
Bone marrow specimen refer to Bone Marrow Differential

Collection Alert:

Calgary Zone: Collections performed at FMC and ACH only
Edmonton Zone: Collection performed at ALL University of Alberta Hospital locations ONLY. Contact technologist at 780-407-8487 (Special Coagulation), prior to phlebotomy.

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB6133A

Specimen Type:

Blood

Specimen Source:

Calgary Zone: Blood, venous, central line, arterial, Capillary
Edmonton Zone: Blood, venous, central line, arterial, capillary, bone marrow

Primary Container:

Calgary Zone:

Platelet specimen:
- Adult: PALE YELLOW (ACD-A)
- Pediatric: LT BLUE CITRATE

Edmonton Zone:

Platelet specimen:
- LT BLUE CITRATE 4.5 ml tubes with buffered 3.2% sodium citrate
Buffy coat specimen:
- GREEN NAHEP or LAVENDER EDTA
Bone marrow specimen:
- Aspirate specimen: GREEN NAHEP or LAVENDER EDTA
- Trephine biopsy: screw capped vial with cold buffered 2% glutaraldehyde obtained from laboratory.

Minimum Collection Volume:

Calgary Zone:

Platelet specimen: Adult: 6 mL, Pediatric: 2.0 mL
Blood specimen: 5 mL from adults, 3 mL from children, 1 mL from infants

Edmonton Zone:

Platelet specimen: One 4.5 mL LT BLUE CITRATE tube, allow the vacuum tube to completely fill, minimum 4.0 mL of blood. A second 4.5 mL LT BLUE CITRATE tube if platelet thin sections are required.
Buffy coat specimen: 5 mL from adults, 3 mL from children, 1 mL from infants
Bone marrow specimen: Aspirate specimen: 2 mL bone marrow or trephine biopsy core

Specimen Collection Requirements:

Calgary Zone:
Platelet specimen:

GENTLY invert tube completely and mix exactly four times.
In addition to patient specimen, collect one control tube (same tube type as collected from patient) using the consent form received from EM lab. However, if a volunteer control patient is unavailable at the collection site, Foothills Medical Centre Hematology will arrange to have a control sample collected.
Label control tube as "CONTROL for [patient name]"

Test Resources:

General Laboratory Requisition – 21302
Indicate test under Additional Tests section.

Calgary Zone:

EM Platelet Label SC4929

Edmonton Zone:

To order specimen vials with 2% buffered glutaraldehyde from the UAH Reagent Room use the Online Forms Tile Navigation - Client Supply Order Form View. Non-APL staff, email the reagent room edm.uahreagentroom@aplabs.ca.

Stability and Storage:

Room temperature.

Processing:

Calgary Zone:
Platelet Specimen:

Do not centrifuge
Place sample in individual specimen bag with copy of original requisition, control tube and control consent form
Apply label "Deliver stat to FMC Hematology"

Edmonton Zone:

Blood and bone marrow samples are pre-processed by the UAH Special Coagulation and Special Hematology Laboratory, respectively, and delivered to the EM laboratory.

Transportation:

Do NOT swing, jar or otherwise disturb while walking or handling.
Do NOT transport specimens through the Pneumatic Tube System.

Calgary Zone:
Foothills Medical Centre (FMC) Accession:
Hand deliver to FMC Hematology within 30 minutes of collection.
Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH) Accession:
Call for stat courier prior to sample collection. Collect sample once courier has arrived at ACH in order to ensure specimen arrives at FMC within 30 minutes of collection.

Testing Schedule:

Calgary Zone: Monday and Tuesday
Edmonton Zone: Monday to Friday

Testing Area:

Anatomical Pathology

Performing Site:

Calgary Zone: Foothills Medical Center
Edmonton Zone: University of Alberta Hospital

Contact Comments:

1-877-868-6848
Calgary Zone: Electron Microscopy Laboratory Phone: 403-210-8806
Edmonton Zone: Electron Microscopy Laboratory Phone: 780-407-3063

Last Updated On:

Tuesday, August 19, 2025