Direct antiglobulin test (DAT)

Blood Transfusion

Notes

• Also referred to as Direct Coombs Test (DCT)
• This test can be useful in the diagnosis of anaemia. It is particularly useful in the diagnosis of Auto Immune Haemolytic Anaemia, in the investigation of suspected transfusion reactions and HDFN
• A DCT request can be added to an existing sample held in the laboratory, but this sample cannot be more than a day old
• Performed at CGH and GRH
• The following factors are known to significantly affect the performance of the examination or the interpretation of the results: lipaemia, sample clotted (if EDTA), haemolysed. Any sample displaying these factors cannot be processed and will be rejected.

Sample Requirements

EDTA tube - 6mL

or EDTA tube - 4mL

or EDTA tube - 1mL

Required Information

Sample and request form must be labelled correctly with 4 points of reference:

1. Forename
2. Surname
3. Date of birth
4. Unique identification number

The sample must be signed and dated by the person taking the blood sample.

Unlabelled, incorrectly labelled or inadequately labelled specimens will not be accepted. No specimen is considered unrepeatable.

Turnaround times

Within 24 hours