ORDERING BLOOD

HOW TO ORDER BLOOD PROSPECTIVELY, OR

IN AN EMERGENCY, OR TO KEEP SERUM AS
STANDBY
• If you are arranging a patient for a procedure that may
require blood transfusion, then there are two options:-
• Arrange for X-Match prospectively, if there is high
probability of bleeding

• Or, arrange for Type/Screen/save serum, if the probability

is not high

ORDERING BLOOD
• The second option also allows for efficient ordering of
Blood quickly, on an emergency basis

• The steps of the three processes – Planned,

Type/Screen/Save Serum, and Emergency Ordering – are
shown below:-

ORDERING BLOOD
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Click the Orders Icon, migrate to the NEW ORDERS Tab, scroll to the
LABORATORY Drop-Down , Select the BLOOD BANK Menu. Review
the Item List

A. PLANNED ORDERING OF BLOOD

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4

Select Item needed, e.g., Fresh Prbc, Fresh Frozen Plasma.

Click ADD.

A. PLANNED ORDERING OF BLOOD

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4
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A new Screen appears, requiring details to be completed; 1). Complete the DATE the
Blood is required, 2). Click Type and Cross Match, 3). Enter the Quantity Required

PLANNED ORDERING OF BLOOD

and reason for Blood, e.g., Type Operation, Severe Anaemia, etc. 5). Any previous
transfusions or abnormal reactions. Click OK Icon to accept.
• It is vital to enter the correct date the blood is required, so
that the Blood Bank can prepare for that specific day
• In addition, the Blood Bank will arrange to complete the
antibody screen within 72 hours of the date given, to be
up-to-date
• Please inform your patient that they will require a Blood
Test within 3 days of the planned procedure date

A. PLANNED ORDERING OF BLOOD

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After opening the Blood Bank Menu, select ABORh, Antibody Screen, Save
Serum. A new CHECKLIST BOX will open.

B. TYPE/SCREEN/SAVE SERUM
Again, add the date by clicking the CALENDAR Icon and select the date
required. Click the Type Icon to choose between Cross Match and Save Serum

B. TYPE/SCREEN/SAVE SERUM
This Selection Box allows you to choose between Cross Match and Save
Typed serum. Choose TYPE/SCREEN/SAVE SERUM in this case. Click
OK. Complete the reason and any previous reaction sections.

B. TYPE/SCREEN/SAVE SERUM
• A Daily report will be sent to the Blood Bank of all completed
check list details
• The Phlebotomists will confer with the Blood Bank if a second
sample is required for the Antibody screen nearer the date of
your procedure
• The patient will be informed, but please also inform them of
the second sample requirement as well
• The ABORh blood typing is only required once in a lifetime
on the system, but needs to be confirmed with a second sample
for first time patients.

B. TYPE/SCREEN/SAVE SERUM
• A new system has been introduced for emergency
ordering of Blood in lifesaving situations
• This includes a new Form, which is held in the OR’s,
Endoscopy Suites, ER
• In order to streamline the process, ordering is now time-
based, depending on how quickly you require the Blood
• The SHORTER the Time indicated on the form, the LESS
the Blood is screened or typed.
• Remember, this is a compromise, between giving the
patient unmatched unscreened blood and saving a life

C. EMERGENCY ORDERING OF BLOOD

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Fill in the Patient’s details and make sure to add the Location/OR details and
call-back telephone number , 2). Indicate the number of Units required.

C. EMERGENCY ORDERING OF BLOOD

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4 3). Indicate how quickly the Blood is required, based on your situation.
C. EMERGENCY ORDERING OF theBLOOD
4). It has been agreed that the Anaesthetist will complete and sign the form,
entering the surgeons name, as this is a co-operation between two
Physicians. Send to the Blood Bank with a Patient sample if not already tested.
• For 5-10 minutes: Universal Donor Blood will be dispensed. Group “O”
Negative. This is not cross matched, and only 2 units of Group “O” negative
blood are available in blood bank as a LIFE SAVING measure.

• For 15-20 minutes: Rapid Typing is performed to give Blood of the same
ABO group (Group Specific). Blood may be fully screened, or sent without
NAT testing result, depending upon availability.

• For 30 minutes: An abbreviated ABORh-antibody cross-matching is

performed, which is less sensitive, but safer (Immediate spin). If there is
NAT tested Blood available for that group, this will be dispensed and is safer.
However, if only newly received donor Blood is available, then untested
Blood for NAT will be dispensed.

C. EMERGENCY ORDERING OF BLOOD

• For 45-60 minutes: a more complete cross-match can be
performed, which is safer.
• Complete Routine Cross-Match takes 2 hours with NAT
testing for infectious agents, e.g., HIV, Hepatitis
• COMPUTER CROSS MATCH: It is important to stress
the advantage of having a pre-tested patient sample
available. (Type/Screen/Save Serum).
• This allows for computer matching of ABORh, antibody
negative blood to be dispensed, matching the patients
profile
• If the patient has pre-existing positive antibodies then this is
not possible

C. EMERGENCY ORDERING OF BLOOD

• If no previous recipient blood has been typed and
screened then a new sample should be sent with the
Emergency Request Form
• This will take longer to process and ABORh / Antibody
Testing should be requested on Oasis as well

• IT IS ADVISED TO PRE-TEST PATIENTS IF THERE

IS A CHANCE THAT BLOOD MAY BE REQUIRED
• This reduces time to issue Blood, as the Type and antibody
status are already known, and can be more readily matched

C. EMERGENCY ORDERING OF BLOOD