Immunohematology Reference Laboratory services

The Red Cross provides reference services through local Immunohematology Reference Laboratories located in proximity to our customers. In addition, our National Reference Laboratory for Blood Group Serology located in Philadelphia offers specialized services, educational videotapes and lecture series, and subscriptions to our Immunohematology journal. Specific testing services include:

• Determination of clinical significance of red blood cell antibodies by monocyte monolayer assay
• Investigation of DAT-negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• IgA protein determination and anti-IgA detection for donors and patients
• Cryoprecipitated-AHF quality control testing

All Red Cross Immunohematology Reference Laboratories are licensed, CLIA-certified, meet state and local regulatory requirements, and they offer:

• Red blood cell antibody identification: single antibody specificity, multiple antibody specificities
• Red blood cell autoantibody evaluations: warm autoantibody, cold autoantibody
• Antigen-negative red blood cell components: single antigen negative, multiple antigen negative, negative for high-prevalence antigens
• Transfusion reaction and ABO discrepancy investigations
• Medical consultations for transfusion guidance
• Access to the American Rare Donor Program for rare red blood cell components and IgA-deficient plasma products

Selected Red Cross Reference Laboratories offer*:

• Immune hemolytic anemia evaluation: autoimmune or drug-induced
• Determination of clinical significance of red blood cell antibodies by monocyte monolayer assay
• Evaluation of complex warm autoantibodies
• Identification of red blood cell antibodies to high-prevalence and low-prevalence antigens
• Antigen typing of samples from transfused patients
• Investigation of DAT-negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia

*If these services are not offered by your local reference laboratory, samples will be sent to an appropriate facility when necessary.

For more information, please contact your local American Red Cross Blood Region, or the National Reference Laboratory for Blood Group Serology at: 215-451-4901, or visit: www.arcbiosciences.org/immunohematology-reference/immunohemotology-reference.html