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Red Blood Cell Antibody Titer

Unexpected Antibody Titer, Irregular Antibody Titer, RBC Antibody Titer

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB275

Department

Blood Bank

Instructions

If an antibody titer is ordered and the patient has not had antibody identification performed within the last month, then an antibody identification is performed first.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Pink-top EDTA tube, properly labeled. A full 6.0 mL tube is required. Additional specimen may be required depending upon the complexity of the antibody.

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 require recollection.
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 appropriate collection tubes.
• Specimens contaminated with IV fluids.
• Hemolyzed samples will be tested only in emergency situations.

In-Lab Processing

Centrifuge the specimen upon receipt in the Laboratory.

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

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

Performed

Monday – Friday, 6:30 am - 3:00 pm.
Results usually available within 72 hours.

Test Methodology

Hemagglutination.

Interpretation

• Antibody titers are usually considered significant if (1) a titer value of 16 is reached or (2) a two-fold titer rise (i.e., greater than two dilution increase) is determined.
• Note: An anti-Kell titer is generally considered significant at a titer value of 8.
• Once a titer is deemed significant repeat antibody titers are unnecessary and these patients/fetuses are best followed at that time with serial fetal MCA Doppler assessments and/or repeat amniocentesis procedures.

Clinical Utility

In a sensitized pregnant woman, the measurement of antibody titers is used to identify patients with increased risk of having a fetus affected by hemolytic disease of the newborn caused by Rh antibodies or any other IgG antibody.

CPT Codes

86886

Contacts

Last Updated

8/15/2024