FCM-5.6.1.21
Version : 1.1
Page 1 of 3
Effective: 2013/10/10
Department of Clinical Pathology
Integrated and Core Laboratories
Site Distribution: SB
Copy Location:
Flow Cytometry
E-Authorized by: Medical Director
Lymphocyte Subset Test Information
Laboratory Hours of Operation
Laboratory Hours of Specimen Receipt
Monday to Friday 0830-1645
Monday to Thursday 0830-1645
Friday 0830 -1400
Closed
Statutory Holidays
Please consider the pre-analytical turnaround time (including transportation), laboratory hours
of operation and laboratory hours of specimen reception when sending a sample for testing.
Flow Cytometry Laboratory Contact Information
Location
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
2075 Bayview Avenue
North York, ON M4N 3M5
Flow Cytometry Laboratory B210
Phone Number
416-480-4958
Hematopathologist
416-480-4042 (Clinical Pathology Office)
Specimen Requirements
Peripheral Blood
EDTA (Lavender Top)
Specimen Integrity
Specimen must be processed within 24 hours of collection.
Test Urgency
Advanced arrangement can be made to expedite medically
necessary testing with the Hematopathologist prior to transportation
of the specimen to the laboratory.
Specimen Labelling
All specimens must be received labelled. The minimum labelling
requirements will include at least two unique identifiers. A hospital
card imprint label is preferred. Each specimen received in the
laboratory must be accompanied by a completed requisition, which
will include all additional patient information.
Specimen Rejection
Specimens received in the inappropriate evacuated tube, clotted,
hemolysed, transported at incorrect temperature or greater than 30
hours will be rejected.
Specimen Storage
Sunnybrook Internal Clients
Internal clients are not encouraged to store specimens. Transport
specimens to the laboratory as soon as possible.
External Clients
If a delay in transportation of the specimen is unavoidable store
Peripheral Blood at ambient temperature
This document is for internal use only. Any uncontrolled documents appearing in paper form should be checked against the on-line
version prior to use.
FCM-5.6.1.21
Version : 1.1
Page 2 of 3
Effective: 2013/10/10
Department of Clinical Pathology
Integrated and Core Laboratories
Site Distribution: SB
Copy Location:
Flow Cytometry
E-Authorized by: Medical Director
Lymphocyte Subset Test Information
Patient Information
Requisition Completion
It is imperative that all information requested on internal or referring
laboratories requisition is provided in full.
Date and Time of Collection
Required information. Necessary to determine specimen integrity.
Clinical Indication
Relevant clinical information is necessary for medical staff in the
review of each case.
Previous/Current Drug
Therapy
Therapy information is required for the review and interpretation of
each case.
Test Order
T Cell Subset Analysis
Parameters analysed are CD3+ T cells, CD3+CD4+ Helper T cells,
CD3+CD8+ Cytotoxic T cells for SI and Absolute Counts. A
calculated CD4/CD8 ratio is included.
Lymphocyte Subset Analysis
Parameters analysed are CD3+ T cells, CD3+CD4+ Helper T cells,
CD3+CD8+ Cytotoxic T cells, CD3-CD56+ NK cells and CD19+ B
cells for SI and Absolute Counts. A calculated CD4/CD8 ratio is
included.
Transportation
Transportation of Specimens
(Sunnybrook Internal Clients)
Transport all specimens in a sealed biohazard bag maintaining a
barrier between the specimen and documentation.
Transport all specimens at ambient temperature.
Delivery mode – Specimen Handler direct to B210 Flow Cytometry
Laboratory
Delivery mode – Pneumatic Tube System Station 12 Blood and
Tissue Bank. Specimens are redirected to Flow Cytometry
Laboratory.
Delivery mode – Pneumatic Tube System Station 8 Core Laboratory.
Specimens are redirected to Flow Cytometry Laboratory
Transportation of Specimens
(External Clients)
Transport all specimens in compliance with Transportation of
Dangerous Goods.
Peripheral Blood Specimens - transport at ambient temperature.
Delivery mode – Courier Service direct to B210 Flow Cytometry
Laboratory
This document is for internal use only. Any uncontrolled documents appearing in paper form should be checked against the on-line
version prior to use.
Department of Clinical Pathology
Integrated and Core Laboratories
Site Distribution: SB
Copy Location:
Flow Cytometry
FCM-5.6.1.21
Version : 1.1
Page 3 of 3
Effective: 2013/10/10
E-Authorized by: Medical Director
Lymphocyte Subset Test Information
Specimen Processing
Laboratory Processing of
Specimens
Every attempt should be made to provide the laboratory with a fresh
sample for analysis. Ideally the sample should be processed
immediately after collection.
The Flow Cytometry Laboratory will endeavour to process samples
that meet the specimen requirements as quickly as possible to
provide the highest quality of analysis results.
The Flow Cytometry Laboratory will not process samples that do not
meet the specimen requirements or the sample acceptability
guidelines.
Reporting
Reference Interval
Parameter
Absolute
SI
CD3+ T cells
0.83 – 2.26
0.53 – 0.87
CD3+CD4+ Helper T cells
0.49 – 1.49
0.30 – 0.61
CD3+CD8+ Cytotoxic T cells
0.20 – 1.02
0.11 – 0.40
N/A
N/A
0.10 – 0.52
0.06 – 0.22
CD3-CD56+ NK cells
CD19+ B cells
Ratio
CD4:CD8 Ratio
0.9 – 5.0
Internal Clients
Reports are available on the Electronic Patient Record.
External Clients
Reports are transmitted either by fax or electronic interface.
This document is for internal use only. Any uncontrolled documents appearing in paper form should be checked against the on-line
version prior to use.