Perinatal Testing Services - Vancouver, BC

Canadian Blood Services, Vancouver, BC Diagnostic Services Laboratory provides pregnancy screening for blood type and red blood cell antibodies. This screening provides information to assist physicians, midwives and nurse practitioners in ensuring the appropriate management of a pregnancy for both the mother and baby.

Testing is provided by Vancouver, BC Diagnostic Services for British Columbia and Yukon.

Note: As of February 3, 2020, testing services for Saskatchewan will be provided by Prevention of Alloimmunization of Mothers in Saskatchewan (PRAMS). For more information, please visit the PRAMS website at http://saskblood.ca/prams-program/. 

Test Catalogue

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Recommended Perinatal Test Guidelines

Recommended Perinatal Test Guidelines BC (PDF)

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) provides screening of pregnant women for blood type and red blood cell antibodies under a program funded by BC Ministry of Health. This screening provides information to assist physicians, midwives and nurse practitioners in ensuring the appropriate management of a pregnancy for both the mother and baby. 

Clinical scenarioSample submission timelines
First Pregnancy 
    ABO and Rh(D) typing 
    Red Cell Antibody Screen 
Initial visit (usually during first trimester) 
and at 26-28 weeks gestation 
Rh positive – previous report on file – antibody screen negative 
    ABO and Rh(D) typing 
    Red Cell Antibody Screen 
Initial visit (usually during first trimester) 
Rh negative – antibody screen negative 
    ABO and Rh(D) typing 
    Red Cell Antibody Screen 
Initial visit (usually during first trimester) 
and at 26-28 weeks gestation (sample to be collected prior to RhIG injection) 
Mothers with clinically significant antibodies detected 
    ABO and Rh(D) typing 
    Red Cell Antibody           
    identification/exclusions 
    Titration 
Maternal specimens are requested monthly for antibody titration and exclusion of other clinically significant antibodies. 
Mothers who have clinically significant antibodies with critical titres 
    ABO and Rh(D) typing 
    Red Cell Antibody identification /     
    exclusions 

A clinically significant antibody will no longer be titered monthly once it has reached a critical value of ‘16’. 

If the clinically significant antibody identified is anti-K, titration is not required. Detection of anti-K is a critical result regardless of titre. 
Maternal specimens will be requested monthly for exclusion of other clinically significant antibodies. 

 

 

Available Perinatal Tests

Perinatal Requisitions and Forms

TEST

REQUISITIONS AND FORMS

Maternal Routine Testing (ABO/Rh Typing/Antibody Screen)

Perinatal Screen Request Requisition BC (PDF)
(Electronic Fillable Form)

Father's Rh Typing  (when maternal Rh is negative)

Perinatal Screen Request Requisition BC (PDF)
(Electronic Fillable Form)
ABO RH Typing/Antibody Screen “Fertility” Testing

Perinatal Screen Request Requisition BC (PDF)
(Electronic Fillable Form)

Cord/Neonate  Testing (ABO/Rh/DAT - HDFN Investigation)

Antibody Investigation Requisition BC (PDF)
(Electronic Fillable Form)

Fetal Genotyping from Maternal Plasma Requisitions

Testing is only available for Canadian residents. Please contact International Blood Group Reference Laboratory for testing inquires. https://ibgrl.blood.co.uk/services/molecular-diagnostics/fetal-genotyping-diagnostic/

 

International Blood Group Reference Laboratory Requisition DS (PDF) (Use the link to download the Fetal Genotyping from Maternal Blood form FRM4674)

Fetal Genotyping from Maternal Plasma (PDF)
(Electronic Fillable Form)

Guidance for Completion of International Blood Group Laboratory Requisition

Fetal Genotyping from Maternal Plasma Consent 

Consent_for_Release_of_Neonatal_Test_Results_Form_BC.pdf (PDF)

Fetal Genotyping from Maternal Plasma Instructions

Fetal Genotyping on Maternal Plasma Maternal Fetal Medicine Instructions (PDF)

RHD Genotyping

Request for RHD Genotyping (PDF)
(Electronic Fillable Form)

Demande de génotypage RhD (PDF)
(Peut être rempli en ligne)

Perinatal Supplies              

Perinatal Supplies Request Form BC (PDF)

Critical Values

Test interpretation — Perinatal critical values

Diagnostic Services will provide a verbal report to the requesting facility or physician in the following cases:

  • Anti-K is detected in maternal sample (when first time detected in the pregnancy and/or with a new pregnancy).
  • Clinically significant antibody with a titre ≥ 16 in maternal sample (when first time detected in the pregnancy and/or with a new pregnancy). 
  • Significant increase in antibody titre detected during a pregnancy.
  • New clinically significant antibody detected in the third trimester of the pregnancy.

Requesting Test Results

Perinatal patient test results for British Columbia and Yukon are available by faxed request.

Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. PT
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Statutory holidays: Closed

Please use clinic/health care provider/hospital letterhead when requesting results and provide the following information:

•Patient first and last name
•PHN (Personal Health Number)
•Date of birth
•Requesting physician
•Facility/clinic fax number

Fax completed clinic / health care provider letterhead to Vancouver Diagnostic Services at: 604-874-6582

Requesting Perinatal Supplies/Requisitions

The following perinatal supplies are available for British Columbia sample collection sites 

  • Perinatal Screen Request Requisition (pads of 50)
  • 6 mL EDTA (lavender) tubes

Complete Perinatal Supplies Request Form and indicate quantity required.
Fax completed Perinatal Supplies Request Form to 604-874-6582 or mail to:

Canadian Blood Services
Vancouver Centre
Diagnostic Services Laboratory
4750 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC, V6H 2N9

Tel: 604-707-3434