Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

Test Code

ESR

Alias/See Also

ESR

CPT Codes
85652

Includes

ESR

Preferred Specimen

EDTA WHOLE BLOOD

Minimum Volume

2.0 mL EDTA Whole Blood

Other Acceptable Specimens

ESR Vacuum tube or EDTA Whole Blood

Instructions

Patient samples may be drawn directly into an ESR-Vacuum Tube or transferred from an EDTA tube into the ESR vacuum tube. When transferring from an EDTA tube, be sure the sample is well mixed and fill the ESR Vacuum tube to the indicated mark on the tube.

Transport Container

LAV/1 or SPECIAL/1

Specimen Stability

72 hours in ESR-Vacuum Tube stored at 2 - 8*C

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Clotted Sample; Inadequate fill; EDTA sample >24 hours old

Methodology
Westergren

Setup Schedule

Daily on Receipt

Report Available

24/7

Limitations

Specimens reading >120 mm/hr

Reference Range

Males 0 - 15 mm/hr

Females 0 - 20 mm/hr

Clinical Significance

Red Cell sedimentation is accelerated by an increase in the plasma concentration of "acute phase proteins," which are increased in acute tissue damage, chrominc inflammation, chronic infection and pregnancy. The ESR reflects both the increase in certain accelerating proteins, such as fibrinogen and gamma globulins, and the decrease in retarding proteins, such as albumin.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.