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HelpTest Code FRAG Osmotic Fragility, Erythrocytes
Ordering Guidance
Additional Testing Requirements
Shipping Instructions
Specimens must arrive within 72 hours of collection.
Necessary Information
Patient's age is required.
Specimen Required
Both a whole blood EDTA specimen and a shipping control specimen are required. The shipping control specimen is used to evaluate whether a patient result has been compromised by handling conditions such as temperature, motion, or other transportation interferences. Temperature and handling extremes can adversely impact the integrity of the specimen.
Patient:
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 4 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Refrigerate specimen immediately after collection.
2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
3. Rubber band patient specimen and control vial together.
Normal Shipping Control:
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 4 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect a shipping control specimen from a normal (healthy), unrelated, nonsmoking person at the same time as the patient.
2. Clearly hand write “normal control†on the outermost label.
3. Refrigerate specimen immediately after collection.
4. Send control specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
5. Rubber band patient specimen and control vial together. The control and patient specimen must be handled in the same manner from specimen collection to receipt in the testing laboratory.
CMH COLLECTION: 3 mL in EDTA lavender tube
Specimen Minimum Volume
Patient whole blood, shipping control: 2 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control | Refrigerated | 72 hours | PURPLE OR PINK TOP/EDTA |
| Whole Blood EDTA | Refrigerated | 72 hours |
Useful For
Evaluating suspected hereditary spherocytosis-associated hemolytic anemia
Confirming or detecting mild spherocytosis
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Clotted blood | Reject |
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Report Available
2 to 5 daysReporting Name
Osmotic Fragility, RBCReference Values
≥12 months:
0.50 g/dL NaCl (unincubated): 3-53% hemolysis
0.60 g/dL NaCl (incubated): 14-74% hemolysis
0.65 g/dL NaCl (incubated): 4-40% hemolysis
0.75 g/dL NaCl (incubated): 1-11% hemolysis
NaCl = sodium chloride
Reference values have not been established for patients who are younger than 12 months of age.
Method Name
Osmotic Lysis
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
85557
Profile Information
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRAGO | Osmotic Fragility | No | Yes |
| SCTRL | Shipping Control Vial | No | Yes |