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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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RED BLOOD CELL ANTIBODY TITER

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2993    Geisinger Epic ID:  26821

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Whole blood.


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

6 mL whole blood


Special notes: 

Specimen must be labeled with patient's first and last name, medical record number or some unique other identifier (e.g.,billing number, NOT date of birth). Date of collection and phlebotomist identification (full name or tech ID) must be available. Positive patient identification must be assured.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Do not centrifuge or aliquot.


Transport temperature: 

Room temperature.


Specimen stability: 

Specimen must be less than 3 days old for testing.


Rejection criteria: 

Tube containing gel separator. Incomplete label ID (see specimen collection notes).



TEST DETAILS
Critical values/courtesy alerts: 
Suggest additional fetal monitoring for antibodies with titer of 16 or above. Anti-Kell is not titered as at any level additional fetal monitoring is suggested. (courtesy alert).
CPT code(s):  86886
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Antibody titer.


Methodology: 
RBC Agglutination
Synonyms: 

ATITER, Antibody titration


Clinical significance: 

During pregnancy antibody titration is performed to identify women with significant levels of antibodies that may lead to hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. A baseline is established for comparison with titers performed at a recommended every-4-week-interval during pregnancy. Anti-Kell titers are not performed since Kell titer does not correlate with fetal status.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Randin Nelson MD
Review Date:  10/06/2024

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