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Red Blood Cell Antibody Identification

Ab ID, Antibody Panel, RBC Antibody Identification, Red Blood Cell Antibody Identification

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6659

Department

Blood Bank

Instructions

Samples may need to be sent to an outside reference laboratory. Please check with Blood Bank prior to specimen collection to determine appropriate samples to collect. If an antibody identification is ordered and the patient has no previous history of an antibody, then an Indirect Coombs (antibody screen) is performed first.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Pink-top EDTA tube, properly labeled. (Minimum Volume: 5.0 mL - depending on complexity, additional samples may be required.)

It is extremely important that blood samples are accurately labeled. Inpatient labels must include the following information:

1. Patient's Name: Complete name. If the patient uses a first initial followed by a middle name, both must appear in proper order on the label.
2. Wrist Band Number:  Include the prefix letters, 4 numbers, and a suffix letter (example: BR1234T). Specimens lacking this complete information cannot be used for blood transfusion purposes and must be recollected.
3. Hospital Identification Number: The seven-digit medical record number must be included on the label.
4. Date and Time Collected
5. Identification of Collector: Employee ID number or first initial and complete last name must be on the sample tube or documented in the computer system.

For Beaumont Reference Laboratory (Outreach) patients, please refer to the Laboratory Bulletin on Laboratory Specimens: How to Label Correctly. 

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Maintain specimen at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) or refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Whole blood at room temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F) or refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Rejection Criteria

• Improperly labeled specimens.
• Specimens with inadequate volume.
• Specimens collected in inappropriate collection tubes.
• Specimens contaminated with IV fluids.
• Grossly hemolyzed samples will be tested only in emergency situations.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 24 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 72 hours
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Specimens are held for a minimum of 7 days.

*Once a sample arrives in Blood Bank, it cannot be shared with other laboratories.

Laboratory

Dearborn Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Farmington Hills Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Grosse Pointe Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Royal Oak Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Taylor Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Trenton Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Troy Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Wayne Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Turn-around times vary based on complexity of antibody problem.

Reference Range

Negative.

Test Methodology

Hemagglutination.

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

• Antibody identification is useful in assessing: positive antibody screens, transfusion reactions, hemolytic disease of the newborn, and autoimmune hemolytic anemias.
• Some patients develop antibodies to foreign red blood cells following transfusion, pregnancy or from an unknown stimulus. These antibodies may be capable of destroying transfused red cells or fetal red cells in utero. It is important to identify the antibody specificity in order to determine the antibody's capability of causing clinical harm and if necessary, to avoid the antigen on transfused red blood cells.

CPT Codes

86870

Contacts

Last Updated

8/9/2024