If the Vacutainer is not completely filled with blood, a false ESR reading may result.

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Many factors can affect the ESR. The tube must be completely filled with blood and must not have any air bubbles. It must be allowed to stand vertically, undisturbed, for a full hour. Minor degrees of tilting may increase the sedimentation rate; careful timing is important. Jarring or vibrations from nearby machinery will falsely increase the ESR. If testing cannot be performed immediately, the blood should be stored at room temperature, and testing must be performed within 62 hours.

If the Vacutainer Is Not Completely Filled with Blood, a False