Blood Transfusion - Basics Flashcards
What is SHOT?
Serious Hazard of Transfusion
How long can you keep red blood cells for?
35 days
What happens to the potassium level in RBC components over time?
Increases
Why would you prefer to give neonates fresh blood?
Less of a potassium load than older blood, which is better for neonates
What can cause a “wrong blood in tube” scenario?
- Sample from wrong patient
- Unit collection errors
- Failure of final bedside checking
- Failure to request “special requirement” i.e. irradiated blood
What temperature are platelets kept at?
Room temperature
Why do BTS only take FFP from male donors?
Due to females developing unusual antibodies during pregnancy
What is the purpose of having 2 samples for crossmatch?
To make you go through the process of checking blood samples twice
How long are crossmatch tubes valid for?
3 days
Why is group O the universal red cell donor?
Lacks both A and B antigens, therefore doesn’t react with anti-A or anti-B antibodies in group A, group B and group AB plasma
What percentage of samples are rejected?
5%
When checking blood units prior to transfusion, what do you need to check?
- No pack leakage
- Transfusion port intact
- No evidence of haemolysis
- No gas/Discolouration/Clots
- Donation number - pack matches label
- Blood group - Pack compatible withlabel
- Expiry date
When checking Patient against transfusion sample, what do you want to check?
IF ANY DISCREPANCY, do not transfuse
- Name
- DOB
- T number
- CHI/Hosp. Number
IF interrupted, stop and start again. Do not leave the patient until transfusion commenced
When labelling a sample for transfusion, what do you need to do?
Print patient details on the tube
- Name
- DOB
- CHI/Hosp. Number
- Ward
- Gender
- Date and time of sample
Apply T number labels to tube and wrist band if NHS highland
What are the main blood components?
- Red Cells
- Platelets
- FFP
- Cryoprecipitate
What temperature are red cells stored at?
4oC
What temperature are platelets stored at?
22oC
What temperature is FFP stored at?
-25oC
What is the universal red cell donor group?
Group O RhD negative
What is the universal FFP donor group?
Group AB RhD positive
Why is group AB the universal plasma donor?
AB people have no antibodies IN THEIR PLASMA as they have both A and B antigens on their red cells, therefore no antibodies are produced against them.
This is the same reasoning for the plasma being RhD positive
What antibodies will group A blood groups have?
Anti-B antibodies
How long can you store RBCs for?
36 days
How long can you keep Platelets?
5 days
How long can you keep FFP?
36 months
What moelcule makes up the A antigen?
N-acetyl-galactosamine