GENERAL HEALTH PANEL

Mnemonic

GHP

Includes

Complete Blood Count (CBC), Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Specimen Collection Requirements

Collect

Whole Blood, one 4.0 mL or 2.0 mL lavender (EDTA) or one micro lavender (EDTA) top tube and Serum or Plasma, one 5.0 mL gold (SST), 7.0 mL red or 3.0 mL green (sodium or lithium heparin PST) top tube

Handling

Whole Blood collection container must be filled to a minimum of 1/2 of the maximum sample volume (ie 4.0 mL tube must have 2.0 mL of blood). Do not overfill tube; collection tubes must not be filled to more than the maximum sample volume. Refrigerate at 2-8°C. Allow serum to clot completely at room temperature (minimum 30 minutes). Centrifuge and separate serum or plasma from cells ASAP

Preferred Volume

1.0 mL whole blood and 1.0 mL serum

Minimum Volume

0.25 mL whole blood and 0.75 mL serum or plasma

Transport

Refrigerated (2-8°C)

Rejection Criteria

Whole blood: Under filled or overfilled tube, frozen, clotted or severely hemolyzed specimens, incorrect anticoagulant Serum or Plasma: Severely hemolyzed specimens

Stability

Whole Blood: Ambient (18-25°C): 12 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 24 hours Serum: AFTER SEPARATION FROM CELLS: Ambient (18-25°C): 8 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 3 days; Frozen (at or below -20°C): 1 month

Testing Information

Performed

CBC/Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: 7 days/week
TSH: Sun - Fri

Method

CBC: Automated cell counter
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: Colorimetry, Ion Selective Electrode, Enzymatic
TSH: Chemiluminescence (Third Generation)

Reference Values

Reference Values

See specific analytes.

Critical Values

See specific analytes.

CPT Codes

CBC: 85025, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: 80053, TSH: 84443

Last Updated: Thursday, January 5, 2017 03:42:12 AM