ESR
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
8.39
1.2 mL Sodium Citrate ESR tube (black)
1.2 mL EDTA
Haematology
Mon - Sun, 24hrs
2 hours (for add-on ESR test - within 24 hours)
Mixrate analyser
mm/hr
See attached PDF
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Don’t order an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to look for inflammation in patients with undiagnosed conditions. Order a C-reactive protein (CRP) to detect acute phase inflammation.
The ESR should not be used to screen for plasma cell dyscrasias; if these conditions are suspected, protein electrophoresis and/or serum free light chains should be used.
It is seldom appropriate for both an ESR and CRP to be performed on the same sample.
ESRs will only be processed when relevant clinical details are legibly written on the request form and meet the testing criteria. Refer to the list below for the conditions where ESR testing is warranted.
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ESR Testing Guidelines for Waikato DHB |
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All Rheumatology patients |
Bone/Joint infection/Osteomyelitis |
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RA/Rheumatoid Arteritis |
Discitis and infection of the Spine |
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JIA/Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis |
Prosthetic Joint Infection |
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Vasculitis |
Uveitis |
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SLE/Systemic Lupus Erythematosus |
Iritis |
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RF/Rheumatic Fever |
Kawasaki Disease |
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Hodgkin Lymphoma |
Inflammatory bowel diseases: |
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TA/Temporal Arteritis |
- Crohn’s disease |
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GCA/Giant Cell Arteritis |
- Ulcerative colitis |
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PMR/Polymyalgia Rheumatica |
CTD/Connective Tissue Disease |
All add-on ESRs also require the relevant clinical detail provided prior testing.
Failure to provide the relevant clinical detail will result to the ESR test to be declined. Samples will be kept for 24 hours if testing is still felt to be warranted.
Contact the laboratory for any queries.
NOTE: If a 1.2 mL Sodium Citrate ESR tube (black) is not available, EDTA (purple tube) can also be used with a minimum volume of 1.2 mL.
1.2 mL Sodium Citrate ESR tube (black)
ESR
$ESR
30341-2
