Important Note

If testing is to be used for giving red blood cell products for transfusion, sample must be current and collected at the facility patient is to be transfused at.

Most specimens will have a 3 day expiration.

Outpatients who meet the following criteria may have their specimens extended for up to 14 days.

• Patient has not been transfused in the last 3 months, AND
• Patient has not been pregnant in the last 3 months, AND
• Patient does not have a history of a clinically significant antibody.

For patients meeting this criteria, the pre-surgical test must be ordered and answered to accompany the type and screen order at the time of pre-testing.

During downtime only, specimen must be hand labeled with

• patient's name,
• DOB,
• hospital registration number,
• FULL SIGNATURE of phlebotomist or RN drawing the specimen
• FULL SIGNATURE of witness after verifying patient information and tube.
• date and time specimen was drawn.