Container Pediatrics: two lavender top or pink MicrotainerTM tubes; adults: dark blue top (EDTA) tube; person drawing blood must sign and date specimen tubes.
Collection At the patient's bedside ask his/her name. Compare with hospital wristband. Label tube with patient's name, MRN, initials, and date. Requisition should be signed by collector and have patient's name and MRN. Under no circumstance can a tube be signed once it leaves patient's bedside. However, a requisition can be signed by the phlebotomist at a later time.
Patient Preparation The specimen will not be drawn unless the patient has an identification wristband.
Causes for Rejection Serum separator tube, sample and/or requisition not signed by phlebotomist, gross hemolysis
Use Determine blood type prior to transfusion on expectant mothers during pregnancy and on newborn blood samples; work up candidacy for Rho(D) immune globulin; detect possible ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn; as part of type and screen to protect any patient who bleeds and needs a blood transfusion
