Laboratory Lab results are too important to go anywhere else.

Rh (D) Type

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5273, Beaker: RH

Department

Blood Bank

Instructions

• Rh (D) may be ordered on adults.
• For Rh typing to determine RhIG (Rh Immune Globulin; Rhogam) eligibility in postpartum patients please see Newborn Rh Typing for RhIG or Cord Blood Evaluation.
• For an Rh system phenotype see RBC Antigen Typing / Phenotype.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Pink-top EDTA tube, properly labeled. (Minimum Volume: 5.0 mL)
Also acceptable: (For Newborn Patients) One Pink-top EDTA Microtainer®, properly labeled. (Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL)

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

Non-Cord Blood Labeling: 

1. Patient's Name: Complete name, last name first. 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 transfusion purposes and will be rejected and require recollection.
3. Hospital Identification Number: The seven digit medical record number must be included on the label.
4. Patient's Date of Birth
5. Date and Time Collected
6. 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. 

Cord Blood Labeling: 

These samples must be identified as Cord samples per hospital site labeling requirements and must be labeled with neonate first and last name, neonate MRN (Medical Record Number), mother’s name, time of collection and collector’s ID.

Note: Cord Blood Samples from multiple births are not acceptable for any testing. Samples obtained direct from infants of multiple birth are required to complete any blood bank testing.

*Note: Cord blood specimens cannot be used for transfusion purposes. 

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 SST tubes.
• Specimens contaminated with IV fluids.

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 11 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)
Troy Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Taylor Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Trenton Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Wayne Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Results available within 2 hours of receipt in the Blood Bank for routine inpatient requests (without unexpected discrepancies) and as close to 8 hours after receipt in the Blood Bank for outpatient specimens.

Test Methodology

Hemagglutination.

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

After the ABO blood group system, the D antigen of the Rh system is the most important. The D antigen is more immunogenic than virtually all other blood group antigens. Determining a patient's Rh type is critical to prevent sensitization to the D antigen due to transfusion, and to aid in determination of an obstetrical patient's candidacy for Rh Immune Globulin.

Reference

AABB Technical Manual, current edition.

CPT Codes

86901

Contacts

Last Updated

10/29/2023