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Blood Bank

What is a Blood Bank? 

Blood Bank, also known as Transfusion Medicine or Immunohematology, is a division of CLS where laboratorians test the antigens on a patient's red blood cells and the antibodies in the serum in order to find a matching donor blood for transfusion. 

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This is a very important and meticulous branch of study. Laboratorians are responsible for identifying antigens and antibodies in the patient's & donors blood to find a compatible match to prevent transfusion reaction. 

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Transfusion reactions can range from mild hives and shortness of breath to blood hemolysis and death. Transfusion of incompatible donor units can spell direct disaster to a patient especially since many transfusions are needed for emergency trauma cases like car accidents or surgeries. 

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So there is a lot of pressure & responsibility on a laboratorian.

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ABO Blood Types
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The four ABO blood types are probably the blood group you heard of before, especially if you ever donated blood at a blood drive. Each ABO blood type designates what antigens are present on a patient's & donor's red blood cells. 

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Knowing what antigens are present can help laboratorians know what antibodies are present as well since antigen/antibody interactions can lead to agglutination and hemolysis, leading to a transfusion reaction.

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BUT DID YOU KNOW that there are other blood groups that laboratorians have to test for?

Some blood groups tested on Antibody Panels include:

  • Rhesus

  • Kell 

  • MNS 

  • Lutheran 

  • Lewis

  • Duffy 

  • Kidd

  • etc.

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Click Here to Read More About Other Blood Groups>

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Responsibilities of Blood Bank Laboratorian for Transfusion

  • Quality Control & Assurance of Reagents

  • Rh typing 

    • Weak D testing for infants (Rh incompatibility with mother)

  • Antigen Identification

  • Antibody Screen

  • Antibody Identification

  • Compatibility testing

  • Transport & storage of blood units & other blood components

  • ​etc.​

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Other Types of Transfusions & Donations

There are more than 1 type of "blood transfusion" depending on the blood component being transfused. Each component has their own uses for treating the patient and has their own testing for compatibility.

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These blood components include:

  • Whole Blood- includes all blood components

  • Platelet 

  • Plasma

  • Red blood cells (only)

  • Combination

 

Click Here to learn more about transfusion types

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