1) Westman Lab, Health Sciences Centre (HSC), St. Boniface Hospital (SBH) using an immunoturbidimetric technique on the Roche Cobas and

2) Boundary trails Health Centre using an immunoturbidimetric technique on the Ortho Vitros 4600 (wide range CRP).

CRP  test measures level of C-reactive protein, one of several proteins produced by the liver during the acute inflammatory phase.  It increases quickly, early in the inflammatory process, and also clears quickly as the insult resolves.
 
CRP and ESR:
- Because of their non-specific nature, their diagnostic value is minimal, particularly in an emergency setting. A competent history and physical examination yield much more useful diagnostic information.
- Should not be used as screening tests for disease.
- ESR and CRP may be normal in serious illnesses, including serious infections, temporal arteritis and autoimmune disease, and malignancies.
- ESR increase lags behind leukocytosis and neutrophilia in acute bacterial infections, and remains elevated after resolution. It contributes little to diagnosis and may direct unnecessary prolongation of therapy.
- ESR or CRP are of questionable utility in the initial diagnosis of systemic inflammatory/rheumatic disease, but may be helpful during management/follow up.
- ESR and CRP are often, but not always, highly elevated in temporal arteritis and in polymyalgia rheumatica.  A negative or lower ESR does not exclude these conditions if findings are supportive. Therefore, the clinical setting must guide management timing over ESR or CRP results.
 
This test is designed for use as an indicator of acute inflammation and not for cardiac risk assessment or stratification.