Sign in →

Test Code PC Packed Red Blood Cells

Important Note

For internal ordering only. Not available to outreach clients.

Useful For

A blood type, antibody screen and crossmatch are required


Treatment in restoring recipient's oxygen-carrying capacity by increasing the mass of circulating red cells


Each unit will raise the hemoglobin in an average size adult by 1 g/dL (hematocrit 3%)

Synonyms/Keywords

Packed Cells, Leukoreduced Red Cells, LRBC, RBC, PRBC

Specimen Requirements

Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No Whole blood 6 mL EDTA
Pink Top Tube
(PTT)		 Two 3 mL EDTA Lavender Top Tubes (LTT)   6 ml Red Top Tube (RTT) 3 mL 2.5 mL Two 0.5 mL microcollection tubes

Collection/Processing Instructions

Must have an acceptable speicmen drawn less than 72 hours before crossmatch.

 

For CLINIC patients where Hand-Held device is used for label generation: Patient must be arm banded with SCANID label. Specimen label must have the patient's complete first and last name, printed medical history number, date of birth, and specimen collection date and time.

 

For HOSPITAL patients where Hand-Held device is used for label generation: Patient must be arm banded. Specimen label must have the patient's complete first and last name, printed medical history number, date of birth, and specimen collection date and time.

 

If performing the collection without the use of the Hand-Held system:


CLINIC patient must be armbanded (arm band to include medical history number, first and last name, date of birth, collection date), specimen label must have the patient's complete first and last name, printed medical record number, handwritten medical record number, specimen collection date and time, date of birth, and phlebotomist initials.

 

For HOSPITAL patients, patient must be armbanded, specimen label must have patient's first and last name, printed medical history number, handwritten medical history number, specimen collection date and time, date of birth, and phlebotomist initials.

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole blood/serum Refrigerate < 72 hours old

Rejection Criteria

Not collected according to above protocol
Serum separator tubes (SST)
Frozen samples
Hemolyzed samples

Test Components

ABO/RH, ABSC, CROSSMATCH

Test Information

This is a therapeutic product. Send a completed Blood Bank request form specifying the number of units needed to Transfusion Services.


A blood type and antibody screen are performed prior to crossmatching the red cell. Crossmatches are performed before administration of all packed red blood cells transfused to patients > 4 months of age to determine compatibility between donor cells and recipient plasma. Blood specimen will be held for 72 hours pending crossmatch orders.


Uncrossmatched Red Blood Cell units are available for emergency release. Ordering physician is required to sign the Release for Emergency Blood.

Reference Range Information

Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield No reference ranges are available

Marshfield Labs Performing Department

Marshfield Labs Transfusion Services

Performing Information

Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield Monday through Sunday 2-4 hours Crossmatch required 

CPT Codes

CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
86999          

Outreach CPT Codes

CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
86999