Specimen Requirements

This test must be scheduled in advance with Perfusion for outpatient transfusions.

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.

5. Patient identification armband and Transfusion Services recipient red armband must remain on patient until transfusion is complete.

Transfusion Information:

1. Only order fresh frozen plasma if it is to be transfused. Thawing a unit of fresh frozen plasma takes around 30 minutes. Units of fresh frozen plasma expire 24 hours after thawing.

2. Fresh frozen plasma shall be same or a compatible ABO type as patient. Unit tag of non-type specific units will state “Approved by a Pathologist.” Rh type is disregarded.  Any Rh type can be given to any Rh type. A type recheck is not necessary.

3. Specimen received ≤7 days is acceptable.