BLOOD BANK
1) CORRECT IDENTIFICATION OF PATIENT
Correct Identification of the Intended Recipient and Labeling of Sample at the Time of Blood Collection.
a. The intended recipient must be positively identified. Identify the potential recipient by open-ended questions and check information in bracelet. The recipient should be identified by full name and hospital or ID number.
b. Samples must be individually identified by a label bearing the recipient's full name and hospital or ID number.
To avoid mixing-up of samples, handle one request at a time. Label the sample at bedside and attach it to the blood/blood components request form before leaving the patient.

2) SUFFICIENT INFORMATION IN REQUEST FORM
Sufficient information must be included in the Request Form
a. The request form must contain sufficient information for positive identification of the recipient.
The potential recipient's full name and hospital or ID number should be verified for correctness at bedside.
b. The person who draws the blood must be traceable.
The person who draws the blood should sign the request form at the space provided and accountable for sampling error.
c. The blood/blood components request form should specify the nature and amount of blood/blood components required and indicate the degree of urgency.
d. Previous blood/blood components request forms, if available, should accompany the present request. If blood group is known please indicated.

4) TYPE OF SAMPLE FOR COMPATIBILITY TEST
1 The sample should be adequate and be safely packaged.
2 Sample must be sent to laboratory without delay
3 The serological findings must be valid at the time of transfusion. For patients who have received transfusion or have been pregnant in the preceding 3 months, or if the history is unavailable, the sample for compatibility test should be obtained within 3 days of the scheduled transfusion.

5) REJECTION OF SAMPLE
a. The Blood Bank will not accept sample, which shows discrepancy in labeling between the form and the blood sample.
b. The blood Bank will not accept unlabelled or wrongly labelled blood sample.

6) TURNAROUND TIME and UNMATCHED BLOOD
a) The Pre-transfusion test procedure takes around 1.5 to 2 hours for the initial request.
b) Unmatched blood is issued only by request of the clinicians.
The clinicians should sign on the form at the space specified. The clinicians will be informed about the compatibility test result once the test is complete.
c) Cross-matching for elective operation should be sent one day prior to date of operation. Request should reach the Blood Bank before 4:00pm on weekdays and 12:00 noon on Saturday.

7) RESERVATION OF BLOOD UNIT
Assigned whole blood or packed red cells normally will be hold for 3 days for each single request. Reservation of blood may be extended only after giving proper notification to the hospital BLOOD BANK.

8) RETURN OF BLOOD UNIT
Blood or blood component taken to ward but not for immediate use should be returned to BLOOD BANK instantly. Under all circumstances, keep all blood products in correct storage temperature. (e.g. Packed cells 4oC, Platelet concentrate 20 - 24oC, etc)

9) AVAILABLE BLOOD PRODUCTS
The Hong Kong Red Cross supplies the following blood products for clinical use:

10) SPECIAL REQUEST
For multi-mini-packed cells or irradiated blood request, special arrangement with Red Cross will take one working day to complete the process. Therefore request will not be satisfied on the same day.