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HelpTest Code WBC White Blood Count (WBC)
Useful For
Used to detect, confirm, monitor, or rule out a wide range of hematologic disorders, or to evaluate and manage the hematologic effects of treatments (radiation, chemotherapy, medications) or other conditions (illnesses and injuries).
Synonyms/Keywords
WBC count
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type | Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Whole Blood | EDTA Lavender Top Tube (LTT) | EDTA Pink Top Tube (PTT) |
2 mL |
One lavender top micro collection tube or 1 mL in 3 mL lavender |
One lavender top micro collection tube with 0.5 mL |
| Royal Blue Top Tube (BD trace element, K2 EDTA) |
Collection/Processing Instructions
Invert specimen at least 5-6 times in order to facilitate mixing and prevent coagulation.
Prepare blood smear as soon as possible, preferably within two hours of collection, up to 24 hours, label with computer generated label or use pencil to label with patients full name and date. Store slides at room temperature.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole blood | Ambient | <24 hours |
| Refrigerated | <48 hours | |
| Refrigerated | >48 hours may be reported with additional comments |
Rejection Criteria
| Clotted |
|---|
| Grossly Hemolyzed |
| Diluted with IV or tissue fluid |
| Frozen |
Test Information
This test is included in CBC without Differential (HGMP), CBC with Automated Differential (HGMPA) or WBC + automated differential (WBCAD).
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| All Performing Sites | Newborn (0 - 30 days): 9.0 - 30.0 x 103/uL 1 - 5 months: 5.0 - 19.5 x 103/uL 6 - 23 months: 6.0 - 17.5 x 103/uL 2 - 3 years: 6.0 - 17.0 x 103/uL 4 - 5 years: 5.5 - 15.5 x 103/uL 6 - 7 years: 5.0 - 14.5 x 103/uL 8 - 17 years: 4.5 - 13.5 x 103/uL 18+ years: 4.1 - 10.9 x 103/uL |
| See Critical Value List for list of current critical values. | |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Hematology
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Dam | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Laser Flow Cytometry/Sysmex XN-2000 |
| Chippewa Falls | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600 |
| Weston | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600 |
| Eau Claire | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600 |
| Park Falls | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600 |
| Ladysmith Medical Center | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600 |
| Lakeview Medical Center | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600 |
| Marshfield | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Unicel Beckman Coulter DxH800 |
| Minocqua | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600 |
| Neillsville | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600 |
| Stevens Point | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600 |
| Wisconsin Rapids | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600 |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85048 |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85048 |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cerner | White Blood Count (WBC) |