| Test Name: | Coombs Test, Direct (Direct Antiglobulin Test) |
| Epic Order Code: | Orderable by requisition only |
| CPT Code: | 86880 | | |
| Specimen(s) Type: | Whole Blood, 5.0 mL |
| Acceptable Container(s): |   Tube top is purple (lavender) or pink. |
| Testing Schedule: | 24 hours/day, 7 days/week |
| Turn Around Time: | STAT: NA | | |
| | Routine: 1 hour |
| Collection Information: | No special patient preparation is required. Obtain specimen by standard collection procedures. |
| Transport Information: | Deliver to lab immediately. All specimens must be signed into the laboratory. |
| Reference Clients: | If unable to deliver to the lab immediately, store and transport specimen at 2-8° C. Specimen must be received in the lab within 48 hours. All specimens drawn as outpatients will be for informational purposes only not for transfusion. |
| Causes for Rejection: | Improperly labeled, incorrect container, contaminated, insufficient quantity, incorrect/delay in transport, grossly hemolyzed, failure to provide a properly completed Requisition Form and/or a Blood Infusion form. |
| Reference Range: | Negative |
| Additional Information: | Interpretive Use: Detects immunoprotein, IgG or complement absorbed on red cells in vivo. |
| | If positive, a direct coombs using monospecific coombs serum is done to determine if the cells are coated with IgG or complement. An indirect coombs test and if indicated, antibody identification may be helpful in the work-up of a positive direct coombs test. In case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia or hemolytic disease of the newborn, an eluate from the patient's red cells may be performed to determine if a specific antibody is involved. |
| | Diagnosis, transfusion history, and all medications received by patient before and during admission to the hospital may be requested. |
| | ** All illegible/mislabeled specimens will be destroyed. There are no exceptions.** |