Specimen Requirements

EDTA blood, K₂ EDTA blood, and serum are required for this test.

Blood for ABO and Rh Blood Typing and Indirect Antiglobulin Test (Antibody Screen)

Draw blood in a 6-mL, pink-top (K₂ EDTA) tube; and send a minimum of 5 mL of K₂ EDTA whole blood.

Note:  1. Specimen and request form must be signed, dated, and timed by person drawing specimen.

2. Label specimen appropriately (K₂ EDTA whole blood for ABO and Rh typing and indirect antiglobulin test).

Blood for CBC with Differential

Draw a full, lavender-top (EDTA) tube; and send EDTA whole blood. Mix by gently inverting 8 times. Forward unprocessed whole blood promptly at ambient temperature only. Do not refrigerate.

Note:  1. A manual differential is performed whenever laboratory’s established criteria for acceptance of automated differential is exceeded. A pathologist review is performed whenever laboratory’s criteria is met.

2. Label specimen appropriately (EDTA whole blood for CBC with differential).

Serum for HBsAg, RPR, and Rubella Antibody, IgG

Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube(s). Spin down and send a minimum of 2 mL of serum. Send refrigerated. Ambient temperature is not acceptable. 

Note:

1. A speckled-top serum gel tube (s) or a plain, red-top tube(s) is also acceptable.

2. Label specimen appropriately (serum for HBsAg, RPR, and rubella antibodies, IgG).