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22567 Direct Antiglobulin Test

Direct Antiglobulin Test
Test Code: DAT
Synonyms/Keywords
​​Direct Coombs, DAT, Coombs Test, Direct
Direct Antiglobulin Test
Useful For
​Demonstrates in vivo coating of red cells with IgG antibody and/or complement
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Neonatal Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Whole blood​ 6 mL EDTA
Pink Top Tube
(PTT)​
One 3 mL EDTA Lavender Top Tube (LTT)
 
Cord blood - EDTA Lavender Top (LTT)​
 3 mL ​ 2.5 mL ​
One 0.5 mL  EDTA microcollection tube
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood​ Refrigerate​ <48 hours old​
Cord Blood​ Refrigerate​ <48 hours old​
Rejection Criteria
Frozen​
Hemolyzed​
Serum separator tubes (SST)
Specimens > 48 hours ​
Interference
​Some drugs may cause antibody formation, which can lead to a positive DAT, with or without immune hemolysis by one of four mechanisms.  Monospecific DAT results may help classify the type of drug mechanism occurring.  Drugs  known to cause a positive DAT or immune hemolysis can be compared to  patients medications to explain unexpected DAT results.
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Beaver Dam
 ​Monday through Sunday​ ​Less than 2 hours​ Gel
Eau Claire
​Monday through Sunday​
 ​Less than 2 hours​ ​Serological
Marshfield
 ​Monday through Sunday​ ​Less than 2 hours​ ​Serological
Rice Lake
 Monday through Sunday​ Less than 2 hours​ Serological​
​Weston
Monday through Sunday​​
Less than 2 hours​​​Serological​
Test Information
​Infants >4 months, Pediatrics, and Adults:
Specimen is tested with polyspecific antiserum. If positive, monospecific IgG and C3 will be tested and charged. If positive DAT is from recently transfused patient, an antibody elution will be performed and charged.

Neonates <4 months, including Cord Blood:
Specimen is tested with monospecific IgG​.  If DAT is positive, an antibody elution may be performed and charged based on maternal antibody history.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites Negative​
Interpretation
​Critical Value: See Critical Value List for list of current critical values
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​86880  ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
​​Direct Coombs, DAT, Coombs Test, Direct
Direct Antiglobulin Test
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description

​Cerner
​​Direct Antiglobulin Test

If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Neonatal Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Whole blood​ 6 mL EDTA
Pink Top Tube
(PTT)​
One 3 mL EDTA Lavender Top Tube (LTT)
 
Cord blood - EDTA Lavender Top (LTT)​
 3 mL ​ 2.5 mL ​
One 0.5 mL  EDTA microcollection tube
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood​ Refrigerate​ <48 hours old​
Cord Blood​ Refrigerate​ <48 hours old​
Rejection Criteria
Frozen​
Hemolyzed​
Serum separator tubes (SST)
Specimens > 48 hours ​
Interference
​Some drugs may cause antibody formation, which can lead to a positive DAT, with or without immune hemolysis by one of four mechanisms.  Monospecific DAT results may help classify the type of drug mechanism occurring.  Drugs  known to cause a positive DAT or immune hemolysis can be compared to  patients medications to explain unexpected DAT results.
Useful For
​Demonstrates in vivo coating of red cells with IgG antibody and/or complement
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites Negative​
Interpretation
​Critical Value: See Critical Value List for list of current critical values
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Beaver Dam
 ​Monday through Sunday​ ​Less than 2 hours​ Gel
Eau Claire
​Monday through Sunday​
 ​Less than 2 hours​ ​Serological
Marshfield
 ​Monday through Sunday​ ​Less than 2 hours​ ​Serological
Rice Lake
 Monday through Sunday​ Less than 2 hours​ Serological​
​Weston
Monday through Sunday​​
Less than 2 hours​​​Serological​
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​86880  ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.