Specialist Biomedical Scientist Ayesha Shakhawat and colleagues present the results of an audit on optimising utilisation of O D negative blood in a major trauma centre.
At a glance
- Dnegative blood is rare and its scarcity represents a challenge.
- In an audit at a major trauma-led transfusion lab, 26% of O D neg units were used in ways that didn’t align with recommendations.
- Implementing targeted strategies and aligning practices with national guidelines can help minimise wastage and maintain recommended stock levels.
The scarcity of group O RhD negative (O D neg) red blood cells (RBCs) represents a significant challenge in blood transfusion laboratories. These red cells are universally recognised as the ideal donor type due to their absence of both A and B antigens on the red blood cells, rendering them compatible with individuals of various blood types. However, individuals with O D neg blood can only receive blood from fellow O D neg donors.
The development of “massive transfusion protocols” has further increased demand for this group as they are considered the safest blood group. Despite efforts to reduce overall red cell usage, the demand for this specific blood group continues to outstrip the available supply of donors. This growing disparity between demand and donation has far-reaching implications for future medical care. Failure to address this shortage could jeopardise the provision of essential medical treatments and procedures, underscoring the urgent need to prioritise the preservation of group O D neg blood supplies.
Click here to read the full article.
Image credit | iStock