Sample Labelling & Test requirements

Sample Labelling & Test requirements

Sending Samples

Please download and print the appropriate Test Request Form

Test Request Forms are two-sided and colour-coded. Samples must be sent to the IBTS in a container which is compliant with IATA Packing Instructions 650.

Please use IBTS BGGL Address Labels

Further information can be found in our User Guide

Sample Requirements for Fetal RHD Screen

Maternal peripheral blood (≥8ml) collected in an EDTA tube from RhD-negative pregnant women, at Booking.

  • These women MUST NOT have made alloanti-D.
  • The pregnancy should be at ≥11 week’s gestation.
  • The sample tube MUST NOT be opened following phlebotomy.
  • The sample MUST NOT be used for any other testing.
  • The sample tube MUST only be stored at room temperature.
  • The sample tube MUST be labelled with the following information:
  • Three unique sample identifiers including: Full name (first name and surname), date of birth, and hospital number (these MUST be identical to the Test Request Form).
  • Expected date of delivery and gestation.
  • Samples MUST be labelled, dated and signed by the person taking them.
  • Addressograph labels are NOT acceptable on sample.
  • Samples must have handwritten labels; unless demand-printed labels are produced at the time of phlebotomy (e.g. Blood Track Tx).
  • Hand written alterations on either the sample or Test Request Form may make the sample invalid for testing.
  • Any minor alterations must be initialed by the person taking the sample to be acceptable for testing.

Sample Requirements for Patient Genotyping Requests

Peripheral whole blood (≥3ml) collected in EDTA-coagulated tube.

  • The sample tube should not be opened following phlebotomy (please contact BGGL if this is not possible).
  • The sample should not be used for any other testing.
  • The sample tube should only be stored at room temperature.
  • The sample tube MUST be labelled with the following information:
  • Three unique sample identifiers including: first name and surname, date of birth, and hospital number (these MUST be identical to the Test Request Form)
  • The patient’s ethnic origin should be indicated: this is very useful information for result interpretation.
  • Samples MUST be labelled, dated and signed by the person taking them.
  • Addressograph labels are NOT acceptable on sample.
  • Samples must have handwritten labels; unless demand-printed labels are produced at the time of phlebotomy (e.g. Blood Track Tx).
  • Hand written alterations on either the sample or request form may make the sample invalid for testing.
  • Any minor alterations must be initialed by the person taking the sample to be acceptable for testing
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