Assay

Blood Film

Key Words

Blood film, White cell differential, morphology

Specimen Collection

3.4ml EDTA (Red lid). 1.3ml EDTA for paediatric (Red lid), do not overfill. Carried out on the Full Blood Count specimen. Testing can only be performed on samples less than 24 hours old due to EDTA changes to morphology.

Turnaround time

Next working day

Test indications

Suspected haematological conditions only detectable by visual inspection of morphology, or as directed by the laboratory for investigation of abnormal Full Blood Count results.

Interferences

Lipaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, cryoglobulins, prolonged storage and excessive heat, clots in sample and/or haemolysis

Reference Range

N/A

Minimum retesting interval

N/A