topic Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum? in Wellness

Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

Winkk — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:11:45 GMT

I am having knee replacement surgery in two weeks. I went in for my pre-admission testing which included blood work. I got a call later that day to say they need to get another vial of blood because of antibody typing and it needs to be done 72 hours before my surgery.

I have Googled this but I'm confused. I've had surgery before and this didn't happen. Why couldn't they test what I gave them? And, how come it has to be 72 hours before surgery? I know what antibodies are, just not how it relates to my blood test.

They told me it was nothing to be concerned about but I haven't heard this before. Any information would be appreciated.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

SeaMaiden — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:22:11 GMT

@Winkk wrote:
I am having knee replacement surgery in two weeks. I went in for my pre-admission testing which included blood work. I got a call later that day to say they need to get another vial of blood because of antibody typing and it needs to be done 72 hours before my surgery.

I have Googled this but I'm confused. I've had surgery before and this didn't happen. Why couldn't they test what I gave them? And, how come it has to be 72 hours before surgery? I know what antibodies are, just not how it relates to my blood test.

They told me it was nothing to be concerned about but I haven't heard this before. Any information would be appreciated.

@Winkk Just google it

https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/blood-typing/tab/test/

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

Trix — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:25:30 GMT

winkk wrote:
I am having knee replacement surgery in two weeks. I went in for my pre-admission testing which included blood work. I got a call later that day to say they need to get another vial of blood because of antibody typing and it needs to be done 72 hours before my surgery.

I have Googled this but I'm confused. I've had surgery before and this didn't happen. Why couldn't they test what I gave them? And, how come it has to be 72 hours before surgery? I know what antibodies are, just not how it relates to my blood test.

They told me it was nothing to be concerned about but I haven't heard this before. Any information would be appreciated.

@Winkk, A knee replacement is a serious surgery. I've had multiples. Your doctor would have been notified by the lab that you would be called in for the additional test. The lab would never tell you the specific reason for a test, and they are trained to tell patients nothing to worry about. Some will say inquiries about lab tests should be directed to your doctor. There may be a reason distinct to your case, so with all due respect to lab techs and other medical/health professionals who may respond, you should speak to your doctor instead of soliciting generic advice on this forum. The answer beats random speculations any day.

Good luck with the knee replacement. It's a long recovery, but with solid dedication to rehabilation you will get there. I found water exercise to be incredibly beneficial. I began my water exercise program after the first knee replacement and never stopped. It's now my primary exercise.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

tends2dogs — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:30:44 GMT

@Winkk I am not a lab tech, but my guess would be for a possible transfusion??? should the need arise, they would have you typed and ready.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

Winkk — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:31:10 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@Winkk wrote:
I am having knee replacement surgery in two weeks. I went in for my pre-admission testing which included blood work. I got a call later that day to say they need to get another vial of blood because of antibody typing and it needs to be done 72 hours before my surgery.

I have Googled this but I'm confused. I've had surgery before and this didn't happen. Why couldn't they test what I gave them? And, how come it has to be 72 hours before surgery? I know what antibodies are, just not how it relates to my blood test.

They told me it was nothing to be concerned about but I haven't heard this before. Any information would be appreciated.
@Winkk Just google it

https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/blood-typing/tab/test/

@SeaMaiden -- I read quite a few articles but didn't see this one. Thanks a lot.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

151949 — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:34:25 GMT

When they are attempting to crossmatch your blood type they found an antibody , and apparently did not have enough blood to do further necessary testing. It is no big deal, but they need to be able to crossmatch your blood against units they have from the blood bank so if you need blood they have the best possible match for you. Also, if they don't have a good match for you they may need to order from the blood bank to get the perfect match - thus the necessary 72 hours.

It's no big deal - people have all sorts of various antibodies in their blood.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

Winkk — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:37:45 GMT

@151949 wrote:
When they are attempting to crossmatch your blood type they found an antibody , and apparently did not have enough blood to do further necessary testing. It is no big deal, but they need to be able to crossmatch your blood against units they have from the blood bank so if you need blood they have the best possible match for you. Also, if they don't have a good match for you they may need to order from the blood bank to get the perfect match - thus the necessary 72 hours.
It's no big deal - people have all sorts of various antibodies in their blood.

@151949 - That's what they told me. They said it happens frequently but I'm a worry wart and the closer my surgery date comes the more I worry. Thanks.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

chrystaltree — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:46:57 GMT

Just call the surgeon's office, disregard anything anyone tells you. It's good question, if you call the doc's office (or email them), the nurse or nurse practioner will answer your question.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

henderson — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 15:08:46 GMT

I had a knee replacement almost 5 years ago and never had this done. However, I wish I had donated my own blood as I needed a transfusion. I've had 2 c-sections and a total hysterectomy and never needed a transfusion before.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

LTT1 — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 18:38:32 GMT

@Winkk

lame excuse given for not drawing your blood correctly...

forgot to use an EDTA tube, etc.

but like suggested -- your doctor's nurse will tell you

Maybe they forgot to run a prothrombin (clotting) test?

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

SilleeMee — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 16:55:20 GMT

I am a retired lab tech. Most orthopedic surgeries are considered to be a possible blood transfusion involvement. This means the lab needs a sample of your blood, collected fresh, to test it for possible blood antibodies. This type of antibody testing is routinely done on any surgery which may require a transfusion of blood to replace the blood lost while in surgery. The 72-hour fresh sample is the proper standard of operation in regulations regarding blood supply crossmatch procedures. Your blood sample will be tested for antibodies against the blood supply in the blood bank and it will be held there until you are no longer in need of a possible transfusion. If you bleed out in surgery then your sample of blood will be crossmatched* at that time or possibly before surgery depending on what your doctor has decided. @Winkk

*Crossmatched means your blood sample with be mixed with a specific sample from a bag or bags of blood to test for compatibility. After that then this bag of blood is reserved for you and no one else until you are no longer in need of it. Your sample of blood is held for one week post-op.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

Zhills — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 16:54:58 GMT

Just know that is is for you benefit, just in case, they are taking every precaution. That's a good thing!

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

SeaMaiden — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 17:01:12 GMT

@Winkk wrote:
@SeaMaiden wrote:
@Winkk wrote:
I am having knee replacement surgery in two weeks. I went in for my pre-admission testing which included blood work. I got a call later that day to say they need to get another vial of blood because of antibody typing and it needs to be done 72 hours before my surgery.

I have Googled this but I'm confused. I've had surgery before and this didn't happen. Why couldn't they test what I gave them? And, how come it has to be 72 hours before surgery? I know what antibodies are, just not how it relates to my blood test.

They told me it was nothing to be concerned about but I haven't heard this before. Any information would be appreciated.
@Winkk Just google it

https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/blood-typing/tab/test/
@SeaMaiden -- I read quite a few articles but didn't see this one. Thanks a lot.

@Winkk Yes, google is very hit and miss! I did not want to come off crass if you thought I did with my google answer....I just love google!

I had both knees replaced at the same time in 2013. What a blessing! You will be so glad you did it! The first week is the toughest as with any surgery....stay on top of the pain...and .ice ice ice....I put it in zip lock bags, put that into a pillow case....feels so good on your knee! Ask your nurses about that. Gosh, I could go on and on....but just know you will be SO HAPPY two months out of surgery.....that is the real turning point in recovery. Wishing you a speedy recovery! 🙂👍

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

Moonchilde — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 18:15:18 GMT

@LTT1 wrote:
@Winkk

lame excuse given for not drawing your blood correctly...
forgot to use and EDTA tube, etc.
but like suggested -- your doctor's nurse will tell you

Maybe they forgot to run a prothrombin (clotting) test?

@151949 provided the complete correct answer and rationale. Blood transfusions are not unusual with this surgery. Everyone has different antibodies in their blood. Antibody screens are very routine. I am not a lab tech but worked in a lab and dealt with testing of all sorts for 20+ years. Giving a patient blood with the wrong antibody can have very serious consequences - not only at the time, but if transfusions are ever needed in future. Any hospital will want to be sure they have the blood a patient specifically needs on hand. There's a lot more to typing and crossmatching than just main blood type.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

LTT1 — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 18:48:17 GMT

@Moonchilde

I taught Blood Banking (Immunohematology) 30 years ago.

We did a "direct Coomb's" test for random causes of agglutination such as ie: autoimmune disease or medications.

In that setting that many years ago, we did. T &C (type and crossmatch) for preop... not 72 hours before.

However, it is wonderful that the units of blood on hand in the Blood Bank are specifically matched within 72 hours now.

We matched the patient to the exact units back then usually while the patient was in surgery.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

SilleeMee — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 18:58:14 GMT

Wow @LTT1, I had no idea you were a blood banker! It was part of my rotation in lab school but it was not my favorite area. I'm a chemist and a hematologist, but occasionally a blood banker. Do you have the SBB title? Mine are SH and SC Antonella used to be a blood banker, too.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

Moonchilde — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 19:12:54 GMT

@LTT1 wrote:
@Moonchilde

I taught Blood Banking (Immunohematology) 30 years ago.
We did a "direct Coomb's" test for random causes of agglutination such as ie: autoimmune disease or medications.
In that setting that many years ago, we did. T &C (type and crossmatch) for preop... not 72 hours before.

However, it is wonderful that the units of blood on hand in the Blood Bank are specifically matched within 72 hours now.

We matched the patient to the exact units back then usually while the patient was in surgery.

@LTT1, ours were as far in advance as practical, but ideally, days. Both hospitals were large and urban. I can see a smaller hospital without instant access to the Red Cross or other blood banks wanting to know in advance. Our hospital could get emergency units very fast, but I can understand that other hospitals in other places might need/want more time, warning, etc.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

LTT1 — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 19:33:38 GMT

@SilleeMee

When I was a practicing MT(ASCP), no further certifications were required. In fact, I guess Medical Technologists were in demand and my last year of college was paid for by my Clinical Rotation internship.

After working in a very urban hospital in downtown Indianapolis (in Blood Bank, Microbiology and Immunology, which included several interesting "new" tests for SLE and RAST testing) I then took a position as a Clinical Instructor at a new private hospital on the north side of Indy!

I had heard that Antonella was an MT, but did not know she was Blood Bank. ❤️She is not from Indy -- she is from PA!

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

Winkk — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 21:36:25 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@Winkk wrote:
@SeaMaiden wrote:
@Winkk wrote:
I am having knee replacement surgery in two weeks. I went in for my pre-admission testing which included blood work. I got a call later that day to say they need to get another vial of blood because of antibody typing and it needs to be done 72 hours before my surgery.

I have Googled this but I'm confused. I've had surgery before and this didn't happen. Why couldn't they test what I gave them? And, how come it has to be 72 hours before surgery? I know what antibodies are, just not how it relates to my blood test.

They told me it was nothing to be concerned about but I haven't heard this before. Any information would be appreciated.
@Winkk Just google it

https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/blood-typing/tab/test/
@SeaMaiden -- I read quite a few articles but didn't see this one. Thanks a lot.
@Winkk Yes, google is very hit and miss! I did not want to come off crass if you thought I did with my google answer....I just love google!

I had both knees replaced at the same time in 2013. What a blessing! You will be so glad you did it! The first week is the toughest as with any surgery....stay on top of the pain...and .ice ice ice....I put it in zip lock bags, put that into a pillow case....feels so good on your knee! Ask your nurses about that. Gosh, I could go on and on....but just know you will be SO HAPPY two months out of surgery.....that is the real turning point in recovery. Wishing you a speedy recovery! 🙂👍

@SeaMaiden - thanks for the encouragement. I'm nervous but looking forwaerd to it.

Re: Any Lab Techs On The Forum?

aubnwa01 — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 05:57:52 GMT

When I had my 1st knee replacement, I was supposed to have gone in & donated 2 units of my own blood in advance (2 separate appts.) for use in the hospital after the surgery, but I went to the blood bank after work & was dehydrated & nothing came out, so they could only get 1 unit from me on the 2nd appt. after I'd made sure to drink a lot of water all day at work.

They also did a test to see how fast my blood clotted, by slicing my forearm with a thing kind of like a spring loaded lancet, but with 2 little blades that made shallow cuts (still have the 2 little scars from it) & then, timed it until my blood stopped coming out.