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 Brigham & Women's Hospital Clinical Pathology & Laboratories

Emergency Release of Blood

In an emergency, if a patient's physician believes the urgency of the situation warrants the release of blood before the completion of compatibility testing, the doctor must indicate the urgency and acceptance of additional risk in writing. The physician must:
  1. Fill out the Emergency Blood Release Form.
  2. Sign the form.
  3. Send the form to the Blood Bank.
ABO and Rh specific blood will be given out whenever possible. Reliance on typing record from other facilities or from previous admissions is not allowed.

Compatibility testing will be completed promptly and the results reported promptly. Any incompatibility that is detected will be immediately reported to the physician.