Final answer:
The transport time for blood for immunologic tests must be minimized to preserve the integrity of the sample for accurate testing, with exact timing depending on the specific test. Expedited handling and controlled temperature conditions are critical, particularly in tests for hemolytic anemia, determining blood type, or during emergency transfusions where O negative blood may be used.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appropriate transport time for blood for immunologic tests varies depending on the type of test and the stability of the analytes being measured in the blood sample. It's crucial to transport the samples in a timely manner to prevent degradation of these analytes, which could lead to inaccurate test results. For immunohematology tests, such as those looking for antibodies against blood cells or determining blood type, the time-sensitive nature of the sample requires expedited handling. Samples should generally be kept at controlled temperatures and processed as soon as possible. For example, in cases of hemolytic anemia, where antibodies are attached to red blood cells, or during pre-surgical preparations that involve blood typing, minimal delay in processing is essential. In emergency situations, like with a patient suffering from severe bleeding post-accident, there is no time to determine blood type, and O negative blood is often transfused due to it being the universal donor type.