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Test Code HCT, Fluid Hematocrit, Fluid

Important Note

Pleural fluid must be added to the EDTA tube prior to clotting.

Tube should be mixed throughly by gentle inversion 8-10 times.

Performing Laboratory

Memorial Hospital Laboratory- Automated Procedures  304-388-5953       
General Hospital Laboratory 304-388-6244
Women and Children's Hospital Laboratory 304-388-2385
Teays Valley Hospital Laboratory 304-757-1770

Specimen Requirements

Pleural Fluid Only-Lavender EDTA tube

3 mL (minimum 1 mL)

Specimen Rejection

  • Improperly labeled, collected, stored, and transported
  • Quantity not sufficient
  • Clotted specimens

Storage and Stability

Room Temperature 18-24o C 24 hours
Refrigerate 2-8o C 48 hours
Frozen Unacceptable

Reference Values

No established reference values.

The test result must be integrated into the clinical content for interpretation.

Methodology

Centrifugation

Days Test Set Up and Turnaround

Monday through Sunday, Continuously

AM Collection Expected by 9AM same day
Routine Expected within 24 hrs
Stat Expected within 1 hr
Timed Expected results are test dependant

CPT Coding

85013

Additional Information

Pleural fluid hematocrit when compared to peripheral blood hematocrit, helps determine the presence of hemothorax.