Specimen Requirements

Specimen is drawn and held in Transfusion Services for 3 days to use if a Crossmatch (XM) or Type and Screen (TYSC) is ordered in an emergency.

Draw specimen as follows:

1. A Transfusion Services recipient red armband must be placed on patient after proper and positive identification and prior to specimen draw. See Transfusion Services Recipient Armbands in Transfusion Services in Special Instructions for additional details.

2. Draw blood in a large pink-top (K₂ EDTA) tube, and send 6 mL of K₂ EDTA whole blood.

3. Clotted or hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.

4. Label specimen with the 4-digit Transfusion Services red armband number, patient's first and last name, medical record number, time of draw and phlebotomist’s initials.