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The accredited Immunohematology Reference Laboratory of LifeShare Blood Centers is available to assist referring hospitals in resolving serological problems and locating compatible blood products when requested. Due to the complexity of this work, resolving problems or finding compatible blood may not be accomplish in the time frame requested by the submitting facility. When this occurs, the requesting facility will be notified of any delays. When delays are experienced, the hospital staff must make the decision regarding transfusion therapy in urgent or emergent situations. The blood center medical director is available for consultation in these circumstances.
Submitted samples will be prioritized based on patient status in consultation with the facility. Initial evaluations may take 4 to 8 hours with final reports completed within 72 hours of receipt.
- Routine
Test results or crossmatch compatible products needed within twelve hours. Routine requests will be triaged and completed based on the order received and specific needs of the patient.
- Priority
Test results or crossmatch compatible products needed within six hours. Priority requests will be triaged and completed before routine work providing a complex antibody identification workup is not required. Priority requests will be triaged based on specific need of the patient.
- Routine and Priority are internal classifications used by laboratory staff to triage requests. Facilities submitting a request should provide a specific date/time when results or products are need.
Samples requiring advanced testing due to complex antibody identifications or a need to locate and crossmatch rare units may experience extended delays. When these occur, the requesting facility will be notified of the delay and estimated completion date/time. Due to limited availability of rare testing reagents, investigations of antibodies to some high frequency antigens may require multiple days to resolve and locate compatible blood products.
- LifeShare Form L-35, Serologic Consultation Request Form
The L-35 is used to request reference and consultation services from the reference lab. This generally involves the identification of antibodies or a request for antigen negative units.
- LifeShare Form L-59, Compatibility Testing Request Form
The L-59 is used by facilities with Compatibility Testing Agreements. These facilities use LifeShare as their Blood Bank for the testing and preparation of blood products for transfusion. When an antibody is found during routine crossmatching, the sample will automatically be forwarded to the reference lab for identification. The requesting facility may be contacted for additional information as needed.
Call the Laboratory technologist to notify of intent to submit sample. Specify any known problems with transfusion or reactivity currently encountered.
Complete Side 1 of Serological Consultation Request (Form L-35) or Compatibility Testing Request (Form L-59).
- When possible, the patient Social Security Number should be provided. This provides a unique identifier that allows the laboratory to maintain continuity of care for the patient if treated at multiple facilities. If unable to supply SSN, a Medical Record number must be provided that will forever identify the patient at the requesting facility.
- In order to resolve the problem as quickly as possible, please provide all information requested. Incomplete or incorrect submissions may cause delays.
- “Date/Time Needed” must be indicated to help the technologists prioritize and schedule all requests submitted to the laboratory. This should reflect the actual time the blood is needed for transfusion.
- Fax a copy of the completed request form to the laboratory
- Send the completed request form to the laboratory with the patient’s sample.
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LifeShare Donor Centers
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