​If part of an Rh programme / Suitability testing, the maternal sample should be taken after a period of 40 minutes post delivery to allow the feotal red cells to be fully distributed within the maternal circulation. If a Group and Save is also required, two maternal samples must be sent as the sample intended for Kleihauer testing cannot be centrifuged.

NHS Lothian operates a Zero Tolerance approach in relation to blood sample acceptance criteria. Errors in patient identification and sample labelling may lead to ABO-incompatible transfusions.

The demographics on the samples MUST be hand written, legible and MUST match exactly to the accompanying request form. Samples labelled with an addressograph or where evidence of an addressograph have been attached will be discarded. Samples with errors or where patient core identifiers have been obliterated will be discarded.

Sample Labelling

The following patient identifying data and sampler signature is mandatory -

• CHI number (or Hospital Number where no CHI number is available - See CHI exceptions)*
• Surname
• Forename
• Date of Birth
• Signature

Sample Labelling for Unknown Patients

• Surname / Forename = UNKNOWN
• Temporary Identification Number = beginning with 700
• Gender
• Sample dated and signed

Once patients details become known, a new sample must be sent to the laboratory

Request Form Labelling

Addressograph labels are acceptable for request forms. If the form is handwritten then the information must be clear, legible and MUST contain the following data identifiers -

• Surname
• Forename
• Date of Birth
• CHI Number (See CHI exceptions)*
• Name and signature of the person taking the sample
• Name of the requesting clinician. (For component requests, this is the Doctor or authorised Nurse that has prescribed the transfusion)
• Clinical details are desirable but are not essential

*CHI Exceptions

Not all patients will have a CHI number. If the patient is a genuine CHI exception then the Hospital number is acceptable and MUST be used. A CHI number may not be available in the following circumstances -

• Foreign visitors
• Patients from England, Wales and Ireland
• Patients not registered with a GP in Scotland
• Patients currently remanded within Her Majesty's Prisons
• Patients in the armed forces
• Newborn infants <3 days old.

A MINIMUM of 2.0ml of blood is required for adult specimens. For paediatric patients, please refer to the link below for specimen types and volume ranges.