Specimen Collection & Transport

Specimen Collection

Transfusion Services Laboratory (6-8335)
Positive identification of the patient must be confirmed by verifying the information on the MIS transmittal and the patient's admissions wristband are identical for name and medical record number.

Labeling of crossmatch specimens must take place at the patient's bedside. Labels must contain the patient's complete last and first names, patient medical record #, and patient's location. Each specimen must be dated and signed by the person drawing the blood sample.

Specimens submitted for type and screen or type and crossmatch must include a Typenex identification label that matches that on the patient's wrist. Detailed procedures for the proper use of the Typenex identification system are located in nursing procedure Blood Products Administration on the CC nursing website at http://www.cc.nih.gov/nursingnew/nursingresources/Procedure/bldprodproc%204_02.pdf. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader®)

Typenex bracelets are stocked on nursing units, in the phlebotomy unit, and in Central Supply.

Typenex specimens may be used for crossmatching RBC until midnight of the third day after collection. New specimens should be collected early on day 4.

Samples Required:
One 6 mL plastic lavender top
Pediatric Samples: One 1 mL lavender top Pedi-Tube

HLA Laboratory (6-8852)
Samples must be labeled with full name, patient ID#, and specimen date. A MIS-generated label will suffice.

Samples Required:
HLA - A,B, Cw Antigens - One 10mL Yellow top(ACD) tube
HLA - DR, DQ Antigens - One 10mL Yellow top tubes
HLA - A,B, Cw, DR, DQ - Two 10mL Yellow top tubes
HLA Cell Line Class I Antigens 5 million cells (Frozen vial)
HLA Cell Line Class II Antigens 5 million cells (Frozen vial)
HLA Antibody Screen - One 10 mL Yellow top tube (prior approval)

Patients with low WBC or lymphocyte counts will require a larger sample. Consult the HLA laboratory for amounts (301-496-8852)

The NIH HLA Typing Record (Contact the HLA lab for a copy of this form) must be filled out for outpatient test requests. This record serves as a permanent document of the patient's HLA typing results, which is required by licensing agencies. Obtain the form from the HLA Lab (10/1C744).

TTV Laboratory (6-8842)
Samples must be labeled with the patient's full name and patient ID#. A MIS-generated label will suffice.

Samples Required:
Two 7mL Plastic SST tubes are sufficient for a complete hepatitis or retroviral panel. Fluids other than serum or plasma will not be accepted for analysis. Pediatric Sample: Please call for minimum volumes (6-8842)

Specimen Transport
Specimens may be transported to the DTM laboratory via pneumatic tube system tube address 3D. Specimens must be placed in a sealed plastic bag and be accompanied by the appropriate transmittal form prior to being placed in the carrier. Blood components will not be transported through the tube system. Please see Guidelines for Sending Specimens to Laboratory under the CPD section for restrictions of material that may be sent through the tube systems.