Anaesthetists Handbook - MEDICAL EDUCATION at University ...

Blood and blood productsEmergency Administration of BloodRequesting Emergency BloodOnly a member of the UHCW medical staff can request emergencyblood. A dialogue must occur with Blood Bank. A normal cross matchsample and request form must be sent to the Blood Bank beforeadministering ‘Emergency blood’. Emergency blood can be obtainedin two ways: ‘Emergency Blood Supply’ (immediate use) or ‘RedLabel’ (when the cross match is partially completed).Emergency Blood Supply (O Negative ‘Flyers’)The ‘Emergency Blood Supply’ is group O Rh(D) Negative, which issuitable for most, but not all, recipients. The ‘Emergency BloodSupply’ is NOT inert and patients with atypical red cell antibodies(e.g. Kell, Duffy) may still react to O Rh(D) Negative blood. Group ORh(D) Positive blood is also kept available, and may be used insituations where large volumes of blood may be required andinsufficient O Rh(D) negative blood is available. This blood is alwaysavailable for immediate clinical use in the locations listed below.Blood Bank: Fourth floor West Wing: Staff sent to collect EmergencyBlood should go directly into Blood Bank where the issue will beprocessed immediately.Obstetric Theatres: First Floor, West wing: Emergency Blood isalways available in the fridge in the Theatre area by labour ward.Staff removing blood from this fridge MUST inform Blood Bank onextension 25322 so that replacement units can be sent at the earliestopportunity.Central Theatres: First Floor, Central: Emergency Blood is alwaysavailable in the fridge in the Central Theatres in the Theatre entrancearea. Staff removing blood from this fridge MUST inform Blood Bankon extension 25322 so that replacement units can be sent at theearliest opportunity.Hospital of St Cross: Emergency Blood is always available in therefrigerator in the pathology laboratory foyer. Staff removing bloodfrom this fridge MUST inform the Blood Bank at UHCW on extension186 Anaesthetists Handbook January 2010