Sample requirements for Blood Bank

Sample

  • All details on the tube must be hand labeled at the patient's side.
    • the following details are required:
    • first name(s)
    • surname
    • NHI/hospital number and date of birth
    • Date (and preferably time) of collection on sample and/or form
    • Signature or initials of the person labeling the tube (must match declaration)
  • For the 6mL tube, the details must be written directly onto the tube.
  • For the paediatric microtainer, which does not have a pre-affixed label, a label with the handwritten details must be stuck on the tube. A template label is available to assist you. This can only be used on the microtainer tube that does not already have a label.

Type of tube

  • A microtainer sample is only for blood from babies and small children.
  • Cord blood samples are not suitable for crossmatching due to the presence of Wharton's jelly.
  • For all other patients, please send a 6mL EDTA tube (pink top).

Pink top tubes for blood banking

Form

Mandatory:

  • Addressograph (sticky label) or fully completed patient identifying details
  • first name
  • surname
  • NHI/hospital number and date of birth
  • Name and signature of requesting practitioner (doctor or midwife)
  • Date (and preferably time) of collection on form and/or sample
  • The sample labeller must sign and date the Declaration. The signature must match the signature on the sample.
  • Blood components/products and/or tests required Highly desirable (but not mandatory):
  • Relevant patient history, details or code (codes on back of form), plus tick box completed)
  • Patient's location
  • date of surgical procedure (if applicable) Note:
  • An inadequate patient history may result in the sample being assigned a lower priority when testing as well as expiring sooner than necessary
  • Forms are sometime photocopied and reused for patients on chronic transfusion programmes - but these forms are now valid for only 6 months. Please see this letter from NZBS's CMO.

Blood Bank request form pdf of form

Sample validity

  • A group and screen sample is only valid for 72 hours unless the following information is provided:
  • Confirmation that the patient has not been transfused in the last three months
  • Confirmation that the patient has not been pregnant in the last three months
  • If the patient has not been pregnant or transfused in the last three months, the sample is valid for 7 days. Extended validity (up to 21 days) is available for elective surgery if a date of surgery is provided.

ABCD guide to blood bank samples pdf here

Unknown Patients

  • Where the patient's identity is unknown, an alternative reliable method of identification must be used.
  • As a minimum, a unique identifier (e.g. NHI or other Emergency number) shall be present on the form and sample.

Serology Reference Laboratory