Neutrophil FAQs

Specimen requirements for all our tests are available on our Request for Neutrophil Services form.

The most common reason we reject a specimen is when its identification is compromised. A simple rule of thumb is if the information on the sample vial is inaccurate, incomplete or missing we cannot accept it for testing. We will investigate every situation a labeling issue occurs and contact you via phone or email to determine if the specimen is acceptable for testing.

Yes, we will send a report for every specimen that we receive in our laboratory. If the specimen was rejected we will provide detailed information why we could not test it.

The integrity of the specimen is essential for accurate results. Integrity of the specimen can be compromised for multiple reasons during its collection, storage, or transportation. A common circumstance is when a sample has been contaminated before or during shipment or it leaked during transit. Another reason to reject a specimen would be incorrect sample type, such as a segment from a donor component or if the specimen was collected in a gel separator tube. In some cases we can perform testing on suboptimal specimens, such as when a specimen exhibits hemolysis or if lipemia is present. In every case we will contact you via phone or email to let you  know when your specimen has been rejected.

For customers using Connect, please select Request for Neutrophil Services Form and complete the electronic form.  Print a copy of the form and include with the sample.

To submit a sample using a paper request, please complete the Request for Neutrophil Services form. Print a copy of the form and include with the sample.

Orders placed without an ordering physician or test type selected will not be accepted.

The simple answer to your question is that it is a requirement of the Clinical Laboratory Information Act (CLIA). 42 CFR 493.1241 states that each laboratory that performs non-waived testing must provide a request from an authorized person. Another important reason is that it aids in the proper identification of specimens which is crucial when providing accurate laboratory results.

1. The name and address of the authorized person requesting the test or the name and address of the laboratory submitting the specimen, including, a contact person to enable us to report lab results in a timely manner.
2.  The patient’s name or unique patient identifier.
3. The sex and age or date of birth of the patient.
4. The test(s) to be performed.
5. The source of the specimen, when appropriate.
6. The date and, if appropriate, time of specimen collection.
7. Any additional information relevant and necessary for a specific test to ensure accurate and timely testing and reporting of results, including interpretation, if applicable.

The Connect version of the Request for Neutrophil Services Form will guide you through completion.

For non-Connect Users, complete the Patient/Donor Information and Specimen Information sections located at the top of the form. You can enter this information directly onto the form from your computer. Many clients attach the patient’s medical record label which can also be attached to the specimen vial. The bottom left side of the form is used for clinical specimens to diagnosis the patient’s clinical conditions. The right side of the form is used specifically for transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) investigations associated with adverse reactions observed with blood transfusions.

Connect users can access the Request Neutrophil Services Form through the Connect system.

Non-Connect users clink the link to access the Request Neutrophil Services form.

Diagnostic specimens must be shipped according to federal and local requirements for Shipping Biological Substances Category B. Contact your overnight carrier for specific requirements.

Serum and plasma specimens should be separated from the red cells and frozen immediately. Frozen specimens should be insulated and packed with dry ice. Dry ice is considered a hazardous material and must be packaged following Department of Transportation (DOT), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and your carrier requirements.

• Refrigerated specimens should be packed with frozen or cold gel (ice) packs. Insulate the specimen tubes to prevent freezing.
• Specimens shipped at ambient temperature should be insulated to prevent damage from extreme shipping temperatures.

Specimens should be sent by overnight carrier Monday through Thursday to ensure weekday delivery. The Neutrophil Immunology Laboratory is not staffed on weekends or holidays. We observe the following holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Neutrophil Immunology Laboratory

American Red Cross

North Central Blood Services Region

100 South Robert Street

St. Paul, MN

55107-1489

Yes, you can call us at 855-216-9202 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

For Connect users, final results can be downloaded from the original Connect order.

For non-Connect users, final results are reported to the referring institution after all testing has been completed and reviewed. An interpretation of your test results is included with each report and may also include recommendations and references. You can select your preferred method to receive results by selecting the options on the corresponding Request for Neutrophil Services form you submitted with each specimen. Routine delivery options are via mail or fax. We can also provide a scanned report in pdf format by e-mail upon request.

Yes, preliminary test results are routinely reported. Typically, specimens that exhibit reactivity to neutrophil antibodies are retested on the next scheduled test run to determine if HNA antibody specificity can be determined. When submitted through Connect, the preliminary report can be downloaded from the original Connect order. For orders not placed through Connect, preliminary reports will be delivered by your selected method.

Since we only schedule neutrophil antibody testing once per week, STAT testing is not available.

Tests can be canceled without charge if we receive verbal notification prior to processing the specimen. Processing occurs the day prior to our scheduled testing date. A final report will be issued with the cancellation information included.

CPT is an abbreviation for Current Procedural Terminology and is used to describe the testing we have performed on the samples you have submitted. The CPT code can be used as a guide to assist you in your internal billing process. CPT codes are available on our web-site or available upon request.

LOINC or Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes is a database for identifying medical laboratory observations in an electronic format. Additional information regarding LOINC is available at this link.