The physician ordered a “coombs” test and the laboratory survival guide lists a Direct and Indirect. What is the difference?
Two. In 1945, Coombs, Mourant and Race described the use of antihuman globulin (later known as the Coombs Test ) to aid in identifying antibodies. Traditionally, the physician ordered a “Coombs Test”. However, this antihuman globulin is now used to detect antibodies in the patients serum (Indirect Coombs test, see question 3) or to if antibodies are attached to the patient’s red blood cells (Direct Coombs Test). This occurs in conditions such as autoimmune diseases, delayed transfusion reactions or hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Related Questions
- Our laboratorys test requisition form includes a place for physician certification that informed consent was obtained. Can the laboratory continue to use this form after the new law goes into effect?
- The physician ordered a "coombs" test and the laboratory survival guide lists a Direct and Indirect. What is the difference?
- Does a laboratory or radiology department need to have some form of physician order to perform a given test or procedure?
