• ​RBC
• Red Cells
• PRBC
• Packed cells

Best Transfusion Practice Recommendations:

• Transfusion Best Practice Recommendations - Informational Document
  
• Red Cell Transfusion Best Practice Recommendations - Clinical Decision Algorithm
  
• Transfusion Best Practice Recommendations Clincal Decision Form
  

• Transfuse-only SHR sites: Crossmatched RBC for transfusion are supplied from Saskatoon upon request
• Northern Saskatchewan referred in sites: Crossmatched RBC for transfusion are supplied from Saskatoon upon request for reference laboratory (complex testing site) investigation

​Saskatoon/Humboldt:

•  Blood Product Request Form #103220
  

Transfuse-only SHR sites or referred in specimens:

• Sask Blood RBC Crossmatch/Antibody Investigation Referral Requisition
• SHR has NOT yet implemented the Transfusion Service Identification Number (TSIN) banding system in patients who require pre-transfusion testing, and as a result, any requests for a ‘TSIN’ on SaskBlood requisitions may be left blank

• ​Uncrossmatched blood may be requested in life threatening/emergent circumstances
• Patient identification must be presented to Transfusion Medicine on a Blood Product Request Form prior to the issue of uncrossmatched blood
• The physician must document and sign that the use of uncrossmatched blood was necessary in the patient’s chart
  
• If patient presents with an Antibody Card please photocopy it and forward it along with the test request form
  
• Healthcare professionals should not send for product pick-up prior to confirming that patient informed consent for transfusion has been obtained and that an intravenous line is in place for blood infusion
• Information about approved transfusion of Crossmatched Incompatible RBC  information can be found on the Laboratory Services Manual
• RBC must not be stored in refrigerators outside the Transfusion Medicine Laboratory
• Transfusion of RBC must be completed within 4 hours of unit release from the Transfusion Medicine Laboratory
• Untransfused RBC may be accepted back into inventory only if returned to the Transfusion Medicine Laboratory within 60 minutes of issue