Calcium, Ionized


Abbrev Code:ICAW   
Order Code:LAB3077Order Name:Calcium Ionized Whole Blood
Synonyms:Ionized Calcium, Outreach Clients
Methodology:Ion selective electrode
CPT Codes: 82330 x1
Turnaround Time:Performed and reported 24 hours/day.


Collection Instructions

Specimen:Blood
Optimal Volume:1 mL
Minimum\Peds Volume:0.5 mL (3 mL syringe); 0.2 mL (tuberculin syringe); 0.1 mL (capillary tube)
Container:Green (lithium heparin) on ICE, St Johns/Woodwinds-Green (lithium heparin, no gel), Dry heparin syringe
Alternate Containers: Capillary (lithium heparin) gas tube
Collection Instructions:Inpatient Collection Instructions: Preferred collection is in a dry heparinized syringe (e.g., with blood gases). 
  • Place sample on ice and deliver to labortory within 30-60 minutes of collection.
  • Acceptable without ice if received within 30 minutes of collection.
  • Whole blood samples are stable on ice for 4 hours.

Alternately, a plasma sample may be collected in a green tube.
  • Do not remove stopper.
  • Place sample on ice and deliver to laboratory for processing within 1 hour of collection.
  • Acceptable without ice if received within 30 minutes of collection.
  • If unprocessed samples cannot be delivered to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection, a whole blood ionized calcium testing should not be requested. Whole blood samples are stable on ice for 4 hours.

Outreach and Clinic Collection Insttuctions:
  • If collecting in a green tube, do not remove stopper.
  • Whole blood samples must be on ice within 30 minutes of collection; maintained anaerobically, and analyzed within 4 hours.
Causes for Rejection:Sample not received within 30 minutes of collection at room temperature. Sample not received within 60 minutes on ice. Sample not analyzed within 4 hours of collection.


Processing and Shipping

Specimen Processing:Whole blood samples. Do not process. Do not store. Whole blood samples must be on ice within 30 minutes of collection; maintained anaerobically and analyzed within 4 hours. If specimen has been exposed to air, analyze within 1 hour if pH is 7.35-7.45, otherwise recollect.

Plasma samples: Centrifuge with stopper in place within one hour of collection. Do not open the tube or split the sample. Store in refrigerator. If collected in a red top (plain) tube, allow the sample to clot for 15 minutes before centrifuging; do not remove stopper.
Shipping Instructions:Ship unopened (anaerobically) at refrigerated temperature.
Stability:Whole blood samples are stable for 30 minutes at room temperature or 60 minutes on ice if maintained anaerobically.

Centrifuged, refrigerated specimens are acceptable 7 days if stopper is not removed. Specimens that have been exposed to air should be analyzed within 1 hour if pH is 7.35-7.45, otherwise recollect. Whole blood samples on ice are stable for 4 hours.
Test Performed at or Referral Lab Chemistry  (CSC Mpls, Lakes, Northland, Ridges, Southdale, St. John's, UMMC East Bank, UMMC West NICU, UMMC/UMMCH-West Bank, Woodwinds)


Interpretive

Critical Range:
Site Age Less than Greater than
St Johns/
Woodwinds 		All ages 0.82 mmol/L 1.55 mmol/L
All other sites 0-11 mo 3.5 mg/dL 7.0 mg/dL
1 y & older 3.0 mg/dL 7.0 mg/dL
 
Reference Range: 
St Johns/
Woodwinds		 All ages 1.11-1.30 mmol/L
All other sites     0-11 mo 5.1-6.3 mg/dL    
  1 y & older    4.4-5.2 mg/dL
Conversion Factor: Ionized Calcium (mg/dL) x 0.2495 = Ionized Calcium (mmol/L)
Use:
  1. Suspect hypocalcemia or hypercalcemia
  2. Monitor treatment for calcemic disorder.
 


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