Insofar as possible, components of the same ABO group should be selected.
If the ABO identical group is not available, group O in additive solution is a second-choice for red cells. Such units need not be tested for high titre haemagglutinins as the residual volume of plasma is too small to cause haemolysis.
Group AB should be used for AB patients. If unavailable, group B or group A should be selected instead of group O.
For the following situations, use group O by default if blood is urgently required:
Emergency situations where the ABO group has not yet been determined.
For all cases with an ABO discrepancy.
Mixed-field reactions not related to compatible non-ABO identical transfusions.
For all cases where the current ABO group differs from historical records.
RhD Group
For best-practice purposes, D-matched blood should be provided. However, D-negative blood is precious and should be preserved for women of child-bearing potential. Hence, D-positive blood may be issued to D-negative recipients in the following situations:
Females >50 years of age.
Adults males.
Patients undergoing large volume transfusion, excluding patients with known anti-D, children and females of childbearing potential.
D-negative units must always be supplied for the following patients:
D-negative women of child-bearing potential.
D-negative patients <18 years of age.
Any patient with documented immune anti-D, even if it is not currently detectable.
D-negative patients likely to require repeated transfusion.
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