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ABO/Rh Type

ABO/D, ABO/Rh, Blood Type,  ABO Blood Group & Rh Type 

Test Codes

ABO/Rh: EPIC: LAB8950

Department

Blood Bank

Instructions

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• Specimens used for transfusion purposes must be drawn within 3 days of intended transfusion. Day of collection is Day 0. Tubes drawn for cryoprecipitate, fresh frozen plasma, or platelet transfusions may be more than 3 days old, but must be obtained during the current admission/visit.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Container(s): 6.0 mL Pink-top EDTA tube, properly labeled.

Gently invert EDTA tube(s) 8-10 times after collection

• Preferred Volume to Collect: 6.0 mL
• Minimum Volume to Collect: 2.0 mL
• Neonatal Volume to Collect: 0.5 mL

If Antibody Screen is also needed, minimum volume is 5.0 mL. 

Microtainer also acceptable for Newborn patients only: One Pink-top EDTA Microtainer®, properly labeled. (Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL) 

Inpatient Specimen Labeling Requirement

Also acceptable: (For Nursery 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:

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 blood transfusion purposes.
3. Hospital Identification Number: The  medical record number must be included on the label.
4. Date and Time Collected.
5. Identification of Collector: Employee ID number must be on the sample tube or documented in the computer system.

Outpatient Specimen Labeling Requirement

For Corewell Health Reference Laboratory (East) 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 (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) or refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Rejection Criteria

• Improperly labeled specimens.
• Specimens with inadequate volume.
• Specimens collected in inappropriate collection tubes.
• Specimens contaminated with IV fluids.
• Grossly 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): 5 days
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

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)
Taylor Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Trenton Transfusion Medicine Laboratory (Blood Bank)
Troy 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 inpatient requests (without unexpected ABO discrepancies) and within 24 hours s after receipt in the Blood Bank for outpatient specimens.

Test Methodology

Hemagglutination

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

The ABO system is the most important blood group antigen system in transfusion therapy. ABO and Rh typing is crucial to reduce the risk of transfusion reactions in patients receiving blood and blood components.

CPT Codes

86900 (ABO), 86901 (Rh).

Contacts

Last Updated

5/16/2025