Category
Hematology
Sub Category
General
Synonyms/Aliases
Full Haemogram, total blood count, full blood count.
Abbreviations
CBC, TBC, FHG, FBC
Type
Profile/ Panel (Bundles Tests).
3 hrs
Results ready in 3 hrs.
Temp
Refrigerated
Method
Automated cell counter.
Setup
Daily
Components Parameters
WBC Total & Differential COUNTS, RBC Idices (HB, HEMATOCRIT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RBC COUNT, RDW-CV), Platelet Count.
Pre-analytic Considerations
N/A
Test Ordering Instructions
Fill out test request form fully & legibly. Should be performed within 24 hours of collection (≤6 hours ideal); if concurrent peripheral blood film examination is required, slides should be freshly prepared I.E. Within 2 hours of collection.
Patient preparation
N/A
Sample type
EDTA Whole Blood.
Container/ preservative
EDTA (PURPLE TOP) vacutainer.
Sample volume
3ML
Rejection criteria
Labeling issue (unlabeled/ mislabeled); missing request form; Mismatch between request form & sample details; Missing age/ gender; wrong sample type; Insufficient sample; Clotted sample; Samples >24 hours old.
Other Instructions
N/A
Reference intervals
Age & gender appropriate values provided with report.
Clinical Utility
Multiple e.G. Assessment of anemia, polycythemia, infections, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis; assessment of leukemia, lymphoma; as part of health & wellness checks or profiles e.G. Antenatal profile, pre-operative checks; as part of monitoring of chronic diseases etc.
Test Limitations/ Confounders
RBC INDICES (E.G. MCV, MCH, MCHC) May begin to alterafter 6 Hours.