Haematology

Preferred Sample Type

Full Blood Count (FBC)

Suitable Specimen Types

EDTA Whole Blood

Full Blood Count (FBC)

Specimen Volume

4mL

Specimen Transport

Standard transport to laboratory.

Turnaround Time

24 hours, if urgent by prior arrangement with laboratory

Sample Stability

24 hours, providing storage at 2-8°C

General Information

A Full Blood Count (FBC) comprising haemoglobin, red cell count, haematocrit, red cell indicies (MCV, MCH & MCHC), total white cell count with differential and platelet count is generated by automated equipment from a single blood sample. If the full blood count results are abnormal or there is a specific indication on the request form, a blood film will be stained and examined microscopically.

Please click Here for the Sysmex glossary which provides further details on various Full Blood Count parameters.

Notes

Please note;

 - samples should be delivered to Specimen Reception at the earliest opportunity.

 - clotted samples can not be processed.

 - if venepuncture is difficult, or if the blood is not mixed rapidly with the anticoagulant, microclots may occur resulting ina falsely elevated low platelet count.

 - the age of the sample and incorrect storage conditions can affect results.

 

 Assay Limitations:

The analyser linearity limits are set in the table below:

Possible sample interferences if the following are present:

  • Platelet clumps/ Giant platelets/ Fibrin
  • Cryoprotein/ Cryoglobulins
  • Erythrocyte aggregation (Cold agglutinin)
  • Possibility of fragmented RBCs
  • Lipaemia
  • Abnormal protein
  • Spherocytosis
  • Pseudo thrombocytopenia
  • Malaria
  • Howell-Jolly bodies

Reference Range

For Adult reference ranges click here

For Neonatal and Paediatric Reference Ranges click here

Specifications

  • EQA Status: NEQAS
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Monday, 30 October 2023

General Information

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Location of Laboratories

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Copyright UHB Pathology 2018

Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962