Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Message Alert:

PLEASE NOTE: This Test Directory is in an interim state and due to changes pertaining to the DynaLIFE transition, performing site for routing has not been updated. Please refer to Laboratory Information System for appropriate routing.

Test Name/Synonym:

Type and Screen
(Pretransfusion Testing, Group and Screen, Crossmatch)

Clinical Indications:

Required for transfusion of red blood cells (RBC), granulocytes and whole blood.

Refer to blood product information monographs for clinical indications for transfusion

Test Includes:

ABORH (Blood type)
Antibody Screen
Type and Screen Expiry Date

Ordering Alert:

NOT for prenatal screening. Prenatal screening is performed by CBS.

A separate order is required for blood components and products.

Electronic order (Epic) or use of a Downtime Transfusion Medicine Requisition is required.

Not to be ordered by providers who do not have privileges to admit patients for transfusion appointments.

A valid/recent type and screen is required prior to ordering red blood cells (RBC), granulocytes and whole blood for transfusion.

Type and Screen testing is valid for 96 hours from date and time of collection.*
*Exceptions may apply for pre-admission clinics and neonates.
*Pre-admission clinics may request collection up to 30 days in advance of scheduled surgery, if the risk for the patient to have newly formed / forming antibodies is low (e.g. patient has not been transfused or pregnant within the previous 3 months)

** Neonatal type and screen are valid up to 4 months from date of birth, as long as the TSIN band has remained attached.

Express, written, informed consent is required for transfusion.
Informed Consent

Collection Alert:

Specimens must be collected using the Transfusion Service Identification Number (TSIN) system.

Tranfusion Medicine follows a zero tolerance policy for specimens and/or requisition/TSIN forms not adhering to acceptable criteria. There are absolutely no exceptions to perform pretransfusion testing on a specimen that does not meet the criteria.

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB276

Specimen Type:

Blood

Specimen Source:

Venous, Arterial, Intraosseus

Primary Container:

Lavender Top - EDTA

Minimum Collection Volume:

See Specimen Collection Requirements

Specimen Collection Requirements:

Contact Transfusion Medicine if patient is already wearing a TSIN wristband. Do not remove an existing TSIN wristband without consulting Transfusion Medicine.

Age	Recommended Container Sizes	Minimum volume
12 years and over	2 x 4 mL	4 mL (whenever possible)
4 months to 12 years	1 x 4 mL	1 mL
Neonate (under 4 months)	2 x 0.5 mL microtainer or 1 soft draw vacutainer (minimum 1 mL)	1 mL
Any age with known antibodies	2 x 4 mL	Contact Transfusion Medicine

Test Resources:

Transfusion Service Identification Number
TSIN Form 21505 ordered through Data CM
Resource: Completing a TSIN Form
Additional Information at www.ahs.ca/labtransfusion

Requisitions:
APL Transfusion Medicine Requisition

Transfusion Policy & Procedure
AHS Transfusion of Blood Components and Products Policy

Stability and Storage:

Refrigerated 1-6⁰C.
Retained for minimum of 7 days post transfusion.

Processing:

Send properly labelled specimens and their accompanying TSIN form to Transfusion Medicine.

Transportation:

Notify transfusion medicine if a STAT sample is being shipped, and the method of transport.

Method:

Antibody screen: indirect antiglobulin test.

Method and Interpretation of Results:

Compatible blood may be delayed or unavailable for patients with a positive antibody screen.

Routine Turn Around Time:

Turn Around Time for Type and Screen testing is variable and dependent on if the specimen collection has occurred at a Transfusion Medicine Testing facility and the alloimmunization status of the patient (aka whether or not the patient has red cell antibodies).

Priority will be given to those patients who are actively requiring red cell support.

If red cells are urgently required in a time frame of less than 90 minutes of the order being placed, please contact the laboratory for unmatched red cells.

Testing Schedule:

Daily

Reference Interval:

Antibody screen: negative

Critical Value:

Positive antibody screens will be phoned in urgent situations or when availability of compatible blood will be delayed for non acute requirements.

Testing Area:

Transfusion Medicine

Performing Site:

Calgary Zone	Alberta Children’s Hospital Foothills Medical Center Peter Lougheed Center Rockyview Hospital South Health Campus Canmore General Hospital High River Hospital
Central Zone	Camrose -St.Mary’s Hospital Drumheller HC Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre Wainwright HC Wetaskiwin Hospital
Edmonton Zone	Grey Nuns Hospital Misericordia Hospital Royal Alex Hospital Sturgeon Hospital University of Alberta Hospital
North Zone	Bonnyville HC Cold Lake HC Edson HC Fort McMurray-Northern Lights Regional HC Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Hinton HC Peace River HC St. Therese – St. Paul HC
South Zone	Chinook Regional Hospital Medicine Hat Regional Hospital

Additional Test Information:

Blood component transfusions must be arranged at the transfusing location. A separate order is required for blood component preparation and must be on the correct encounter for the transfusion to occur.

A confirmatory ABORH sample may be required in order to provide group-specific Red Blood Cells but will not impact the ability to provide crossmatched group O units. Transfusion Medicine will advise. Refer to Confirmatory ABO.

Additional sample may be requested in order to complete testing. Do not remove the TSIN band. Transfusion Medicine will advise on the volume tube type.

Last Updated On:

Wednesday, April 16, 2025