If it is a Rhogam work up (after delivery work up on mom) we perform the screen on the @ cells from the Ortho A panel- but only if the baby's DAT is negative. If the baby has a positive DAT, we do a regular 3 cell screen in gel and would then do a full panel if we got a positive. We order an elution on the baby and send the mom's blood out to our reference lab for a HDN titer for anti-D. If it is for a crossmatch, we always do a regular antibody screen and panel work up if needed. We just had one of these yesterday. We had antigen test the units for C and E because they could not be ruled out with the Anti-D coming through.
Why do we have to administer blood with in 30 minutes? I understand why blood has to be returned to the lab with in 30 minutes for storage and possible reissue, but why do we have to administer the blood in that time frame when it can hang for 4 hours? Is there a standard that states this? Is it a usage issue? In order to keep the transfusion from "going to waste" we give them a time limit? My boss wants to know and I can't give her an answer. Thanks!