Specimen Requirements

Blood and slides are required for this test.

Blood

Draw blood in a lavender-top (EDTA) tube(s), and send 1 mL of EDTA whole blood. Invert several times to mix blood. Do not transfer blood to other containers. Send unprocessed whole blood refrigerated. Specimen cannot be frozen.

Note:  If blood cannot reach St. Luke’s Laboratory within 1 hour of draw, make and submit thick and thin smears.

Blood Films

Submit 2 thin blood films and 2 thick blood films. Ideally, films should be made from fingerstick or drops of blood from needle following venipuncture. However, EDTA anticoagulated blood is also acceptable. To prepare blood films, use only clean, grease-free slides.

Thin Blood Films

1. Prepare with a “feathered edge”; should be no more than a single cell thick.

2. Allow film to thoroughly air dry and then fix by briefly immersing it in either absolute or 95% methyl alcohol. Allow to air dry.

3. Send slides in plastic slide container(s). Forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Thick Blood Films

1. Place a large drop of blood (preferably from a fingerstick) on a slide.

2. Using a corner of a second slide, spread drop by literally scratching carrier slide to make blood adhere. Drop of blood should start out the size of a dime and be about the size of a quarter when finished.

3. DO NOT FIX. Air dry thoroughly (approximately 45 minutes) before placing in transport container.

4. Send slides in plastic slide container(s). Forward promptly at ambient temperature only.