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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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BLOOD BORNE PARASITE SMEAR PARASITEMIA REFLEX

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB1863    Geisinger Epic ID:  29468

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Whole blood


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Lavender-top (K2 EDTA) microcollection tube
Specimen required: 

2 mL whole blood; minimum 1.6 mL. Thick and thin smears also required for specimens drawn off-campus.


Special notes: 

Preferred specimen is a 2 mL EDTA lavender-top tube. 
Two (2) microcollection tubes are acceptable for difficult draws. If sent from an off-campus site, both thin and thick smears made as soon as possible after sample collection are to be submitted along with the sample. Call Hematology Lab (800-695-6491) for directions on thick blood smear preparation.
A brief patient history must also accompany the specimen.


Patient preparation: 

Sample generally drawn at time of spike in temperature.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Do not centrifuge tube of blood. If not sent directly to the Hematology Laboratory, thin and thick smears are to be made and sent with the specimen.


Transport temperature: 

Blood: Refrigerated. Slides (both thin and thick): Room temperature.


Specimen stability: 

Refrigerated: 72 hours. Room temperature: 36 hours.


Rejection criteria: 

Clotted, frozen, hemolyzed, overfilled or underfilled tubes. Slides not kept at room temperature.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

No organisms seen.


CPT code(s):  87207
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

CBCD, special stain for malaria, pathologist review and result.


Methodology: 
Microscopy of thick and thin parasite smears, CBC with differential WBC count, pathologist interpretation
Synonyms: 

Babesia, Malaria, Plasmodium, MALAS


Clinical significance: 

Detection of organisms in blood.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Mary Dhesi MD
Review Date:  01/08/2025

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