Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

General Information

Lab Name: RBC Sedimentation Rate
Lab Code: ESR
Epic Name: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
Description: Interferences:

1. Plasma factors: Increases in fibrinogen and to a lesser extent globulin alters rouleaux formation and may cause an increase in the ESR.

2. Red Cell Factors: size or mass of red cells will determine their rate of fall. An elevated ESR is seen in severe anemia. The ESR will be low with sickle cell disease and spherocytosis as these cells are unable to aggregate and rouleaux.

3. Severe Lipemia or Hemolysis in sample may impact ESR
Synonyms: Sed Rate
Components

Method

Westergren Automated ESR system / Westergren

Reference Range

Units: mm/hr

Effective date: 03/09/2010

Specimen Type: Blood
Collection: UW-MT and HMC Labs: 3 mL blood in the LAVENDER TOP tube

UW-NW: 3 mL blood in the LAVENDER TOP tube

Alliance Labs: 3 mL blood in the LAVENDER TOP tube

Unacceptable: Any Microtainer tube
Handling Instructions: The Laboratory MUST process room temperature specimens within 4 hours of blood collection.

If kept refrigerated, Lavender top (EDTA) blood can be used for ESR within 24 hours of collection.
Quantity: Requested: Entire LAVENDER tube
Minimum: 2 mL whole blood in Lavender top

Lab Department

Hematology(H)

Frequency

Daily

Available STAT?

Yes

Performing Location(s)

HMC	Hematology 206-520-4600 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420
UW-NW	Main Lab 206-668-1344 UW Medical Center – Northwest 1550 N 115th Street, A200 Seattle, WA 98133
FHCC	Fred Hutch Alliance Lab 206-606-1088 825 Eastlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98109
UW-MT	Hematology 206-520-4600 Clinical Lab, Room NW220, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195