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HelpTest Code DICSCR DIC Panel
Specimen Type
Plasma/Whole Blood
Container/Tube
One light blue top tube (3.2% sodium citrate) and
one lavender top tube
Offsite Collection Instructions
Whole blood sample must arrive in the laboratory within
three hours of specimen collection.
If transport time exceeds three hours, follow centrifugation
instructions:
- Samples must be centrifuged at >2500 x g for 10 minutes
at room temperature. - Carefully remove the plasma from the cells using a plastic
transfer pipette avoiding the buffy coat. - Aliquot removed plasma into 2 plastic tubes containing a
minimum of 500 uL of specimen in each tube. - The plasma samples must then be frozen at -20ºC.
- Once solidly frozen, they must be shipped on dry ice.
Samples that have thawed in transit will be rejected.
Note: For clients who do not have access to dry ice DO
NOT freeze the specimen. Follow the centrifugation instructions
and
send fresh plasma or send whole blood sample. It now becomes
vital that the specimen arrives in the lab within three hours
of
collection.
Do not centrifuge lavender tube
for Platelet Count. Do Not Freeze.
Turnaround Time
4 hours
Test Includes
D Dimer, PT, FIBB, Platelet Count and
DIC Score
Preferred Volume
1 mL plasma and 2 mL blood in 4 mL lavender tube
STAT Turnaround Time
1 hour
Critical Results
INR >3.9
Fibrinogen <80mg/dL,
Platelet Count <30 or >1,000 (x 10³/µL) when
patient has not had
similar values within past 48 hours.
All platelet counts < 10 (x 10³/µL).
Additional Information
All 3.2% sodium citrate light blue top tubes require a ratio
of 9 parts blood to 1 part anticoagulant (example: a 3.0 mL
tube
requires 2.7 mL blood added to 0.3 mL of anticoagulant).
ISTH DIAGNOSTIC SCORING SYSTEM FOR DIC
Risk assessment:
Does the patient have an underlying disorder
known to be associated with overt DIC?
If yes, proceed
If not, do not use this algorithm
Order global coagulation tests (Platelet Count,
D-Dimer, PT, Fibrinogen)
Score the test results:
Platelet Count (per uL): >100,000 = 0;
50,000-100,000 = 1; <50,000 = 2
Elevated D-Dimer (ug/mL FEU):
<0.4=0,
0.4-4.0 = 2,
>4.0 = 3
Prolongation (in seconds) of PT above
upper limit of its normal reference range:
<3.0 = 0,
3.0-6.0 = 1,
>6.0 = 2
Fibrinogen level (mg/dL):
>100 = 0
<100 = 1
Calculate score:
If score 5 or greater, compatible with
overt DIC: Repeat score daily
If score less than 5, suggestive (not
affirmative) for non-overt DIC:
Repeat next 1-2 days
Fee Code
D-dimer: 30585379
Fibrinogen: 30585384
PT: 30585610
Platelet Count: 53449
Test Usage
Contains PT/INR, platelet count,
fibrinogen, and D-dimer. Used
to score patient’s likelihood of DIC by laboratory
testing
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL plasma and 2 mL blood in 4 mL lavender tube
DAY(S) AND TIME(S) PERFORMED
24/7
STAT DAY(S) AND TIME(S) PERFORMED
Available
CPT
D-dimer: 85379
Fibrinogen: 85384
PT: 85610
Platelet Count: 85049
Method Name
Clotting, Latex Immunoassay, and Sysmex XE5000 (plate count)
Reference Values
See individual tests
Reject Due To
Whole blood/unspun samples greater than 6 hours will be
rejected.