Blood Transfusion and Reactions

Key points

• • Check the right blood for the right patient - identity and crossmatch - to avoid ABO incompatibility.
• • Acute haemolytic reaction (ABO mismatch): fever, loin pain and hypotension - stop at once and resuscitate.
• • Other reactions: febrile non-haemolytic, allergic/anaphylaxis, TACO (overload) and TRALI (lung injury).
• • For any serious reaction, stop the transfusion, keep IV access, and inform the lab.