Category
Hematology
Sub Category
Cytology
Synonyms/Aliases
Blood Film
Abbreviations
PBF
Type
Individual Test
24 Hrs
Within 24 hours on weekdays
Method
Smear review Microscopy.
Temp
2-8ºC
Setup
Daily
Components Parameters
N/A
Pre-analytic Considerations
N/A
Test Ordering Instructions
Fill out test request form fully & legibly. Prepare slides within 2 hours.
Patient preparation
N/A
Sample type
EDTA whole blood (used to prepare slides).
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. Broken slides.
Other Instructions
Should be accompanied by concurrent CBC printout.
Reference intervals
Negative for disease or Malignancy.
Clinical Utility
Cell evaluation.
Test Limitations/ Confounders
Poor slide preparation / drying/ fixation can compromise interpretation/ make PBF unreportable.