Requests for Blood Transfusion
Request Information
The details on written or electronic request and the sample tube are the only direct contact between the clinical area and the Transfusion Laboratory. The accuracy and completeness of this information is therefore of vital importance.
As a minimum, the request should include:-
- Patient core identifiers
- Last name
- First name
- Date of birth
- NHS number. If NHS number is not available, the Hospital number can be used. If neither of these are present the request will not be processed unless under exceptional clinical circumstances following discussion with the Transfusion Laboratory staff. The name of the clinical member of staff taking responsibility for the request will be documented.
- Gender, as this is important for component selection purposes
- Consultant
- Type and number of blood component required
- Date and time blood component required
- Where transfusion will take place
- Name of requester and contact number
- Indication for transfusion (Blood results / symptoms / evidence of bleeding)
- Date and time of request
* If the patient’s identity is unknown then state “Unknown Male” or “Unknown Female” and use unique hospital number on the request. As soon as the patient’s identify has been establish inform the Transfusion Laboratory.
All requests should contain relevant information on other factors, which influence transfusion:-
- Known blood group antibodies
- If women is pregnant or been pregnant within last 3 months
- If elective transfusion for pregnant women (requires CMV negative units)
- If irradiated or Hepatitis E components are required (section 18.0)
- Known haemoglobinopathy
- Anti D administered in the past 12 weeks
- Previous reactions to blood components
- Information on current diagnosis and any significant co-morbidities
All urgent requests for any component or Group and Save, must be verbally communicated to the Transfusion Laboratory on ext 7697 or bleep 298 if it is 'out-of-hours'.