If they don't know the patients blood type would they check for the Rh antibodies before using O+ blood?
Some other interesting stuff. I'm on a kidney transplant list. When I was evaluated, they had me repeat the blood sample draw for blood type twice by two different people. They want to make sure there is no errors in classifications. Another thing is those of us with O blood type have to wait much longer for kidney transplants because we are universal donors for organs also.
>Another thing is those of us with O blood type have to wait much longer for kidney transplants because we are universal donors for organs also.
It's two things: we're universal donors, but non-universal receivers. We can give blood to anyone (Rh factor is an extra complication here), but we can only receive O blood, not any other type, so we're really screwed when we need something. Us O- people are even worse.
>If they don't know the patients blood type would they check for the Rh antibodies before using O+ blood?
In a trauma case, they probably don't have time to type your blood at all, so they just give you O+. There's lots of O+ available, but not much O-. Rh- people could have a real problem if they've already had an Rh+ transfusion, but oh well...
Some other interesting stuff. I'm on a kidney transplant list. When I was evaluated, they had me repeat the blood sample draw for blood type twice by two different people. They want to make sure there is no errors in classifications. Another thing is those of us with O blood type have to wait much longer for kidney transplants because we are universal donors for organs also.