Heart of England Pathology Directorate

Routine Cross-Matching (Compatibility Testing)

On a routine working day, blood can normally be cross-matched and issued within 4 hours. Detection of irregular antibodies may cause delays due to the identification and ordering of suitable blood. This can be avoided by prior testing where possible. X-Matched blood will be available to the patient for 48 hours (providing valid sample period).

Emergency Requests

Blood can be available within 40 minutes providing that:

a) Blood Bank have a valid sample and request

b) The patient does not have clinical significant antibodies

At Solihull Hospital the same applies, however out of routine hours, samples and blood products will need to be couriered between Solihull and Heartlands Hospitals.

In the event of an unidentified antibody being present, blood can be issued on the M.O's responsibility.

Blood required urgently can be issued on receipt of a specimen within 10 minutes, with only the group checked - this is issued on the M.O's responsibility. Cross-matching will be carried out on these donor units retrospectively.

Please refer to Massive Bleed Procedure (Internal Users Only).

In extreme cases 'Emergency' O Rh (D) negative units are available at the following locations:

BHH: Two for Emergency Department in the Issue fridge, Blood Bank.
Two for Delivery Suite in the Delivery Suite fridge.

SOL: Six for Emergency Department at Solihull in the Lobby fridge, Solihull.
Four for Main Theatre, in the Main Theatre fridge at Solihull.

Please refer to protocol for their use.

Elective Surgery Requests

These must be received in the Blood Bank by 14.00h on the day before surgery and in accordance with the M.S.B.O.S (Maximum Surgical Blood Ordering Schedule), which can be found on the back of the request forms. If the number of units required exceeds that stated on the MSBOS, the blood bank must be contacted by Telephone.

If there are no irregular antibodies, the blood will be cross-matched and held until 09.00h the day following the procedure.

Blood for patients with irregular antibodies may need to be ordered in from the National Blood Service which may cause a delay.

If there is a need for the blood to be held for a longer period the Blood Bank must be notified no later than 09.00h on the day following surgery.

Non - Red Cell Products

Requests for Fresh Frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, prophylactic Anti-D, albumin, platelets or other blood products must be made initially by telephone to the Blood Bank, followed by written request. Special criteria apply to their issue and advice of the Haematology Medical Staff may be necessary.