The minimum notice for a routine transfusion is 48 hours, as the work will be done in normal laboratory hours, and extra blood may have to be ordered.
Please note that any requests for special requirements, phenotyped blood and/or blood products could result in a delay. Blue light deliveries from NBS are possible but must only be used in emergency situations and will require consultant approval.
Contact the laboratory to request additional cross-matching.
Potential surgical cases should have Group and Save at pre-clerking appointment, with a repeat Group and Save on admission if a cross match is required; add "save serum" if Cross Match likely within 7 days.
Routine Group and Cross Match for planned surgery is not done by emergency service staff.
Reservation of blood
Cross-matched blood is kept for 48 hours. After this time it is made available for other patients unless the laboratory is contacted between 8.15 and 8.30 am.
Order and issue of all blood products as indicated by the guidelines in the hospital transfusion policy, and/or discussion with the consultant haematologist.
Routine Group and Cross Match for planned surgery is not done by emergency service staff.
