Specimen Requirements

Mother’s blood (post delivery) and cord blood are required.

Procedure

1. Labor and Delivery

A. Draw cord blood specimen required, see Specimen Collection below.

B. Label specimen according to instructions in Proper Identification and Handling of Cord Blood Specimens in Labeling of Specimens for Laboratory Testing in Special Instructions, and label as cord blood.

C. Send cord blood specimen to Nursery. 

2. Nursery

A. Refrigerate cord blood specimen until baby has been registered.

B. Order Blood Type, ABO and Rh Type (BTY) on baby and answer “yes” to “Specimen for RhIg Studies.”

C. Generate label and attach label to cord blood specimen. Do not cover any other labeling.

D. Send specimen refrigerated. Forward promptly. 

3. Postpartum Area

A. Order Rh Immune Globulin (RhIg) Studies (RHG).

B. Include date of last prenatal RhIg injection under comment field.

C. Draw required blood specimen, see Specimen Collection below.

D. Label specimen with mother’s first and last name, medical record number, date of draw, phlebotomist’s initials, and label as blood. 

4. Transfusion Services

Transfuse RhIg will be requested by Transfusion Services if determined that patient is a candidate. “Product available for issue” will be part of result when patient is a candidate. “Not a RhIg candidate” will be part of result when patient is not a candidate. RhIg product will be sent through the CTS following appropriate procedures.

Specimen Collection

Blood

Draw blood in a large, pink-top (K₂ EDTA) tube from mother, and send 6 mL of K₂ EDTA whole blood. (Clotted or hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.)

Note: Label specimen appropriately (mother’s blood).

Cord Blood

Draw 6 mL of cord blood in a large, pink-top (K₂ EDTA) tube from baby. (Clotted or hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.)

Note: Label specimen appropriately (baby’s blood).