As of April 2022, the George Blood Bank selects and keeps aside phenotype-specific red cell concentrates from packs that are processed at the regional branch, prior to sending the blood stock to the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) headquarters for redistribution to the Service’s eight blood banks. The packs are used for known frequently transfused patients, such as those with a haemoglobinopathy, who develop antibodies to allogeneic blood and where it has become increasingly difficult to find suitably matched blood.
The Blood Bank is able to proactively anticipate the patient’s blood product requirements from a created list that includes planned transfusion dates. The advantages of this initiative include faster blood bank turnaround times as it omits the journey time for preventable stock transfers between George and Cape Town, less product handling and a shorter hospital stay for the patient.
For more information, contact Cecilia Adolph, Manager – Blood Bank (cecilia@wcbs.org.za)
