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HelpTest Code ESR Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
EHR Test Codes
| Test Code | Test Name | |
| Atlas | ESR | Sedimentation Rate |
| Cerner | ESR | Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate |
Specimen Requirements
Preparation of Patient:
None
Container Type:
3 mL EDTA lavender top tube
Specimen Type:
EDTA Whole Blood
Specimen Volume:
3 mL of EDTA whole blood minimum 1.5 mL
Specimen Handling/Transport:
Do not aliquot. Transport refrigerated 2 - 8oC
Specimen Stability/Storage:
4 hours ambient room temperature
24 hours refrigerated 4oC
Specimen Rejection:
Clotted specimen
Quanity not sufficient
Performing Laboratory
Munson Healthcare Laboratories
Hematology Department
Priority, Frequency, & Turnaround
Priority:
Non-Emergent
Frequency:
24 hours 7 days a week
Turnaround:
0 - 1 days
Methodology
Photometrical rheology
except Grayling Hospital Laboratory which is performed via Infrared light
Reporting
Reference Range:
Male:
| 0 Years to 15 Years | 3 - 13 | mm/hr |
| 15 Years to 50 Years | 0 - 15 | mm/hr |
| 50 Years and up | 0 - 20 | mm/hr |
Female:
| 0 Years to 15 Years | 3 - 13 | mm/hr |
| 15 Years to 50 Years | 0 - 20 | mm/hr |
| 50 Years and up | 0 - 30 | mm/hr |
Critical Decision:
None
Clinical Significance
Most changes in the ESR are due to alterations in plasma proteins, mainly fibrinogen, with smaller contributions from alpha-2-globulins. Fibrinogen increases 12-24 hours after onset of an acute inflammatory process or acute tissue injury. Included in these types of conditions are acute and chronic infection, tissue necrosis and infarction, well established malignancy, rheumatoid-collagen diseases, abnormal serum protein, and certain physiologic stress situations such as pregnancy or marked obesity. The ESR is frequently increased in patients with chronic renal failure, with or without dialysis.
ESR determination has three major uses: (1) as an aid in detection and diagnosis of inflammatory conditions or to exclude the possibility of such conditions, (2) as a means of following the activity, clinical course, or therapy of diseases with an inflammatory component, such as rheumatoid arthritis, acute rheumatic fever, or acute glomerulonephritis, and (3) to demonstrate or confirm the presence of occult organic disease, either when the patient has symptoms but no definite physical or laboratory evidence of organic disease, or when the patient has no symptoms at all.
CPT Code(s)
85652