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Test Code Billings Clinic: 9980 Methemoglobin, Venous, Blood

Important Note

This test can be drawn by a phlebotomist or a RN based on the patients draw needs. After collection the tube needs to be sent on ice to tube station 520 and the Respiratory Therapist in ICU needs to be voalted.

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Pulmonary Laboratory

Useful For

  • Diagnosing methemoglobinemia
  • Identifying cyanosis due to other causes, such as congenital heart disease

Methodology

Oximetry

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Collection/Transport:

  • Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube(s)
  • Send 2 mL of unprocessed lithium heparin whole blood.
  • Do not centrifuge. 
  • Forward unprocessed whole blood on an ice slurry - crushed ice in a baggy and wrap around the specimen
  • Must be received in Pulmonary within 4 hours of draw

Storage/Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood Li Heparin Refrigerated (Ice Slurry) 4 hours
  Ambient 1 hour

Reject Due To

  • Specimens received outside of the stability limits
  • Specimens other than those collected in Lithium Heparin

Reference Values

Newborn - 12 years:     0 - 2%                      Call Back Value: >4%
>12 years:                    0.5 - 1.5%                 Call Back Value: >4%
 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

83050