Erythrocyte concentrate, compatibilized
The Blood Service can provide matched erythrocyte concentrates on an individual basis. The request for this, together with an application form and a sample for the immunohematological tests to be performed in subcontract, must be delivered to a blood bank laboratory of Red Cross Flanders.
The following describes a blood product that has specific characteristics that make it useful for patients with special requirements, mainly in terms of immunological compatibility.
Information on preparation, storage, etc. can be found in the original product sheet.
Product Codes
Code 'Blood Service'
Cfr original product sheet
NIHDI Code
Hospitalized: 752 463
Non-hospitalized: 752 452
Labeling
The erythrocyte concentrate bears the product label and a compatibility label. The compatibility label states the patient's identity (name, first name and date of birth) and blood group, and the validity period of the cross-test result.
ABO-identical blood can be dispensed only if the patient's blood group determination was performed on two samples taken independently, and is concordant.
In the case of a favorable (negative) cross-test, the compatibility label states: "Cross-test: compatible (FP).
Exceptionally, blood may be delivered for which the cross test was unfavorable (positive). This is the case when the patient has auto-antibodies (such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia) or HTLA antibodies (High Titer, Low Avidity) that are clinically unimportant but interfere with the cross-test. The compatibility label then states : "Not crossed : ABO compatible". In such cases, compatibility is achieved either by excluding underlying clinically important alloantibodies or by selecting as many pheno-compatible erythrocyte concentrates as possible.
Special precautions
The erythrocyte concentrate should be administered only as long as the cross-test result is valid, but never beyond the expiration date.
If the compatibility label does not state 'Cross test: compatible (KP)', but 'Not crossed: ABO compatible', the risk of hemolytic transfusion reactions is increased due to any autoantibodies present and/or to the possible presence of undetected alloantibodies. Therefore, it is recommended that this transfusion be performed during the day and under strict supervision. Premedication, e.g. with steroids, may be considered, especially in the case of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAIHA).
Episode
By medical prescription, after order.
Last updated 03/01/19.
