Synonyms: Blood Grouping and Rh Typing; Blood Type; Group and Type; Type and Rh

NOTICE: This is a component of the Antibody Screen (Coombs-Indirect) panel which may be more appealing than ordering this test alone

Why It Is Done

Before a person receives a blood transfusion. Before a person donates blood. Before a person donates an organ for transplantation. Before surgery. When a woman is planning to become pregnant or first becomes pregnant. To determine whether two people could be blood relatives. To identify a person suspected of committing a crime

Test Overview

Includes:
ABO blood grouping and Rh typing
Human blood is classified, or typed, according to the presence or absence of certain markers (called antigens) on the surface of red blood cells. Blood type may also be done to see if two people are likely to be blood relatives.
The most important antigens are blood group antigens (ABO) and the Rh antigen. Therefore, the two most common blood type tests are the ABO and Rh tests. Although there are other ways to type blood, these two tests are the most common.

How To Prepare

No special preparation is necessary.