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.
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