Clinical Chemistry - Blood Grouping & Rh Typing
Services for ABO blood grouping, Rh typing, antibody screening and identification are available only to women seen in the prenatal clinics at local health departments. These services are not available to other patients of local health departments or other health care providers.
Specimen Identification, Collection and Shipment
- DHHS form #2828 and mailing containers are available from the Laboratory Mailroom.
- Complete all information and identification on DHHS form #2828. It is imperative that all of the following information be given: last name, first name, middle initial, patient number (social security number), address, date of birth, race, Medicaid number, submitter name, address and tax identification number (EIN#), specimen collection date, week of gestation, and clinical information (initial screen, previously detected antibody, previous abortion/pregnancy, blood transfusion. Please note on requisition if and when patient has received any Rhogam.
- Note: Draw blood before Rhogam injection. Collect tWO (2) tubes of blood from each patient.
- One (1) red top tubes without anticoagulant. Do not use SST or any type of serum separator tube. Centrifuge the tube and transfer at least 2 ml of serum into a transport tube.
- One (1) purple top, containing EDTA. Mix blood with EDTA immediately by gently inverting tube 8 - 10 times. DO NOT SHAKE.
- Label purple top specimen collection tube and each of the two transport tubes of serum with patient's name and date collected. Laboratory testing(s) will not be performed unless all tubes are labeled with patient identification.
- Refrigerate specimen until transported.
- Place completed form #2828 with specimen into the mailing container. Please do NOT wrap forms around individual tube(s). Ensure return address is on all copies of each form and on the outside of the mailing container. Add sufficient First Class postage to container.
- Mail the specimens on the day of collection. Specimens for ABO, Rh, and antibody screen must be tested within forty - eight (48) hours after collection. Specimens may be routinely collected Monday - Thursday.
Reporting and Follow-up Procedures
- A copy of results are returned to the submitting agency. They are also available on the State Lab website at http://slph.ncpublichealth.com.
- Records of results are filed by date of receipt in this Laboratory. Records are retained for five (5) years.
Note: At the present time, only two (2) antibody screens are available from this Laboratory per Rh-negative patient per pregnancy. The first screen should be done early in the pregnancy. The second screen should be performed after 24 weeks gestation.
See also:
Last Modified: March 24, 2009 12:07 PM