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Peripheral Blood Smear Evaluation

Examination of a peripheral blood smear provides rapid and reliable access to information about a variety of hematologic disorders. The smear offers a window into the functional status of the bone marrow. It is particularly important when assessing cytopenic and cytoproliferative states. Review of the smear is an important adjunct to other clinical data; in some cases, the peripheral smear alone is sufficient to establish a diagnosis.

700

• Two peripheral blood smears, stained or unstained. Label each with patient name and other unique numeric identifier (date of birth, social security number, requisition number, and medical record number).
• Include CBC report and clinical history/note.

• Frosted-end glass slides
• Slide mailer

1. Label slides with patient’s full first and last name.
2. Place a drop of blood onto one end of the slide. Quickly make smears, using the slide-over-slide technique (one clean slide and one with specimen) to spread the cellular material evenly. The aim is to get a region where the cells are spaced sufficiently far apart – a monolayer – to be counted, differentiated, and/or examined.
3. Air dry. Immerse slide briefly into methanol and air dry again. (The fixative is essential for good staining and presentation of cellular detail.

Store specimens at room temperature (15 to 30°C) until transported. DO NOT freeze.

2-3 days

85060