Anaesthetists Handbook - MEDICAL EDUCATION at University ...

Blood and blood productsCross matched bloodThis is supported by a single plasma sample and each issued unit iscross matched against the patient’s sample. Blood requested forurgent cross match will usually be released within forty minutes.Patients known to have atypical blood group antibodies will alwaysrequire a serological cross-match prior to the issue of blood.Other blood productsPlatelets are usually available but depending on the blood group adelivery from Birmingham may be required.Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is available from blood bank and is notreleased until it has thawed. This can take up to twenty-five minutesplus transport time. It is advised that you consider FFP when six unitsof blood have been transfused.Cryoprecipitate is available to treat hypofibrinogenaemia; this productalso requires thawing.Intraoperative cell salvageUHCW has cell salvage machines in cardiothoracic theatres and inthe labour ward. Use these only with experienced staff who canoperate the machine.Hospital transfusion information[Circulated by Hospital Transfusion Team, August 2006; appraised and revisedby Mr John Hyslop, January 2008]Blood StorageUnder NO circumstances must blood or blood components be storedin a refrigerator other than those specifically approved for blood /component storage.Fatal reactions can result from incorrect storage. Do not useward fridges for storage purposes under any circumstances.Anaesthetists Handbook January 2010 181