
Blood transfusion requests
Please consider the following...
Group and Save requests
"Group and Save" request samples are ABO and Rh (D)-grouped and screened for atypical antibodies.
The patient sample is saved for up to 7 days depending on the patient's transfusion history (antenatal samples are only kept for 3 days due to the risk of maternal antibodies developing during the pregnancy).
Cross-match requests
ABO and Rh (D) compatible donor units are selected and cross-matched for named patients and held for that patient until 09:00, 48 hours after the date from which the request was originally made.
If your patient has been transfused, a fresh sample for further cross-matching will be required after 3 days (72 hours). Please allow as much time as possible to complete grouping, antibody screening and/or cross-matching in case atypical antibodies are encountered.
If your patient has atypical antibodies, compatible blood must be cross-matched. There is a possibility this may incur a delay in providing units as the National Blood and Transplant Service will have to supply us with appropriate units for cross-matching if we don't hold them in our stock.
The hospital operates a Maximum Surgical Blood Ordering Schedule (MSBOS.) Under normal circumstances the Transfusion laboratory will cross-match according to the MSBOS unless clear reasons for doing otherwise are provided by the requesting clinician.
For further details, please contact the laboratory on Ext. 7894 bleep 234.