O D Negative Red Cells

O D Negative frequency On average only 7% of UK population is O D negative Current demand for O D negative red cell units from hospitals is ≈12% This highlights a gap between hospital demand (O D negative units ordered by hospitals) and those in the population that are blood group O D negative. There is an increased reliance on O D negative units as it can be given to unknown patients who are suffering from major haemorrhage. The Rapid response notice 17 2010 – The transfusion of blood and blood components in an emergency support the early release of blood components in an emergency and stated that policies should be in place to deal with these situations. Group O D negative was therefore used as the group of choice.

O D Negative Red Cell Issues Total red cell issues have dropped over the last 9 years (from just over 1.85 million to under 1.65 million units). However the issues of O D Negative red cells remain constant, around 200000. The holding of emergency stock in both laboratories and satellite fridges can be seen to be attributed to this trend.

Bridging the Gap - Donors Only 7% of the UK population are blood group O D Negative, though intensive marketing and recruitment means that 11% of donor’s are O D negative. This means that on average each O D negative donor donates 20% more blood than other donor groups. This puts a pressure on these donors and also a pressure on NHSBT to retain these donors.

Stock concerns Concerns regarding supply of group O D Negative red cells NHSBT are working to retain and recruit O D negative donors There are concerns within the blood supply system regarding the number of new O D negative donors being recruited and retaining those we currently have. As previously stated we rely on O D negative donors more than any others as there are limited numbers in the population.

Bridging the Gap - Substitutions Approximately 0.8% of Red Blood Cell orders from hospitals are substituted by NHSBT with O D Neg units Shortfall in number of Ro (Dce/Dce) donors with specific phenotype profile for sickle cell exchange patients Ro review at NHSBT has increase the number of Ro units available although demand has increased

Can your hospital save one unit of O negative red cells a month Can your hospital save one unit of O negative red cells a month? This is a national campaign to help manage the O D negative red cell stock so they are available for patients who can only receive blood group O D negative. Open floor for discussion – ask for ideas as to how this can achieve and any initiatives that hospitals have tried or are willing to try. Any suggestions about how this should be measured – hospital / regionally / nationally

How you can help Regular review of O D Negative stock holding – both in laboratory and satellite fridges Audit the use of O D Negative emergency stock Use O D Positive for unknown men and women >50 years old Review the number of O D Negative units transfused to non O D Negative patients Review wastage data

Resources The New O D Negative toolkit is available at www.hospital.blood.co.uk (to be updated when toolkit is live) Click on link to open webpage.

Share you success The PBM team would love to hear your O D Negative success stories Share your initiatives/campaign strategies with your local PBM Practitioner

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