Thread by @TransfusionWM

Just had a call from an anaesthetist. Surgeon wants to take a patient with allogeneic antibodies to theatre for a non urgent procedure; surgeon wants to use the O negs. How would the #haemSpRs respond to that? (Without swearing! 🤣🙈) #blooducation

You have all made me laugh tonight! I think you've all covered the main points and very politely may I say... But still for the benefit of the new #haemSpRs... 1/

O D neg blood is negative for A, B and D antigens, and also for K (if it’s “emergency” blood). But nothing else. Patients may have clinically significant antibodies to a whole host of other blood group antigens which may well be present in O D neg K neg blood. 2/

These antibodies are found, if the patient has any, during the antibody screen (the “screen” part of “group and screen”) and then identified by testing against a panel of donor cells (NB this takes time, and more samples). 3/

Red cell alloantibodies can cause haemolytic transfusion reactions (usually delayed, but still significant). In the stable, non bleeding patient, antigen negative and physically cross matched blood should be given. 4/

As a point of principle I like to tell people suggesting O negs as an option, that they may as well give ABO and D specific blood, as this will be no less safe. That often makes them realise their misunderstanding of what O neg actually is. 5/

For a quick précis of the times when O D neg blood _is_ indicated, @low_helen and I recorded a short @blooducation podcast on the topic a few months ago blooducation.co.uk/portfolio/o-d-…
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