White Blood Count

Message

Performing Lab: Central Lab, Hudson, Lakeview, Regions, Sartell, Westfields

Test Code

3110

Alias/See Also

Sunquest: HEWBC; WBC

CPT Codes
85048

Preferred Specimen

4.0 mL EDTA Whole Blood (lavender-top) tube

Minimum Volume

1.0 mL - tube
250uL- microtainer

Other Acceptable Specimens

EDTA (pink-top), EDTA microtainer

Instructions

HP Clinics: Waiting test is performed at the HP Clinic Lab. Routine test is performed at Central Lab

Transport Temperature

Refigerated

Specimen Stability

Refrigerated: 24-48 hours
Contact performing laboratory with questions regarding specimen stability

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

Clotted, Hemolyzed

Methodology
Automated

Setup Schedule

Hospital: Daily
Clinics: Monday - Friday

Report Available

Same day.

Reference Range

White Blood cells (WBC)	Age	Reference Range	Critical
	16 Years	4.0 - 11.0 k/µl	<1.0 k/µl or >50.0 k/µl
	8 Years	4.5 - 13.5 k/µl
	6 Years	5.0 - 14.5 k/µl
	2 Year	6.0 - 17.0 k/µl
	1 Month	5.0 - 19.5 k/µl
	7 Days	5.0 - 21.0 k/µl
	Newborn	9.0 - 30.0 k/µl

Clinical Significance

White blood cells protect the body against infection. If an infection develops, white blood cells attack and destroy the bacteria, virus or other organism causing it. The number of white blood cells is sometimes used to find an infection or to follow cancer treatment.

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.