Emergency transfusion of uncrossmatched blood to injured patients via helicopter personnel in the field
A colleague in New Mexico reports that her facility supplies group O Rh negative RBC units for an emergency helicopter service. She was wondering if other suppliers of uncrossmatched blood to emergency helicopter services perform post-transfusion crossmatches and if so, what is the perceived value or compliance requirement to do such testing? She has reviewed the following discussions:
but could not find any specific mention of the need to complete crossmatching when the blood is infused uncrossmatched by helicopter personnel to the patient in the field.
Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator
W. Tait Stevens, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Assistant Editor & Moderator
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