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Electron Microscopy (Ultrastructural) Study of Platelets

Test Codes

Please contact the Electron Microscopy Laboratory for information regarding this test.

Department

Electron Microscopy

Instructions

• Specimens must ONLY be collected at the Royal Oak Hospital Campus. Specimens CANNOT be collected at any other Beaumont Laboratory draw site, nursing home, or Outreach office.
• Specimens must be drawn between 7:00 am – 11:00 am, Monday – Friday, excluding holidays.
• Please contact the Electron Microscopy Laboratory PRIOR to specimen collection. Follow these instructions for contacting:  Call Mobile Heartbeat number 947-523-2053, if there is no answer call 248-898-9037 (EM Lab), if there is no answer call 248-898-9047 (Advanced Diagnostics Lab). 

• Electron Microscopy Laboratory staff must be spoken with prior to collection.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: Two Lavender-top EDTA tubes. (Minimum: 2 mL each tube)

• Contact the Electron Microscopy Laboratory PRIOR to specimen collection. EM staff will pick up the specimen. Include a copy of the requisition with the specimen.
• Label specimens properly with the patient's name, medical record number, physician's name, hospital name, date and time of specimen.

Rejection Criteria

• Improper labeling, inadequate information, improper collection.
• Delay of more than 15 minutes after collection.
• Specimens sent through the pneumatic tube system.
• Specimen collected on weekend or holiday and specimens drawn after 11:00 am.

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

The Electron Microscopy Laboratory MUST be contacted PRIOR to specimen collection. EM staff will pick up the specimen. Do NOT send through the pneumatic tube system.

In-Lab Processing

Specimens need to be centrifuged immediately to separate special components of the blood prior to fixation for the study. This will be completed by the Electron Microscopy Laboratory.

Storage

• Specimens must be received in the Electron Microscopy Laboratory within 15 minutes of collection.
• Specimens are retained for a minimum of 7 days after testing.
• Specimen Blocks are retained for a minimum of 20 years.

Laboratory

Royal Oak Electron Microscopy Laboratory

Performed

Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 11:00 am, excluding holidays.
Due to the technical manipulation required, specimen diagnostic results will take approximately 2 weeks.

Test Methodology

Routine methods applying to transmission electron microscopy.

Interpretation

Interpreted by: MD/DO, Electron Microscopy, Pathologist, or Hematopathologist.

Clinical Utility

Electron microscopy allows direct visualization of platelet ultrastructure. Platelets can be evaluated for alpha and delta granule content, mitochondria, and other organelles. Electron microscopy is the most specific method for diagnosing storage pool deficiency.

CPT Codes

CPT code(s) may vary between specimens. Please contact the Laboratory for more information.

Contacts

Last Updated

10/18/2022